No. 1 Arizona was never going undefeated against this schedule.
As invincible as they might have appeared while streaking to a record 23-0 start, it was only a matter of time before the Wildcats suffered a setback in the brutal Big 12.
Michael Lev is a senior writer/columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson.com and The Wildcaster.
It finally happened Monday night. No. 9 Kansas rallied for an 82-78 victory in front of a sellout crowd at Allen Fieldhouse that never stopped roaring.
It was a pulsating college basketball game that felt like a national semifinal. Even with KU freshman star Darryn Peterson sitting out, this was a true heavyweight bout.
The Jayhawks matched the Wildcats’ physicality, overcame an 11-point second-half deficit and withstood a late flurry as Arizona desperately tried to keep the streak going.
What was the difference in the end? What does it all mean? Here are my top five takeaways:
1. No Peterson, no shame
News broke shortly before the game that the uber-talented but enigmatic Peterson would not play because of flu-like symptoms. It was the 11th game he’s missed this season because of a variety of ailments.
Kansas forward Bryson Tiller reacts after blocking a shot by Arizona during the second half, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan.
It essentially created a no-win situation for Arizona.
If the Wildcats prevailed, they wouldn’t have gotten as much credit as they would have had Peterson played.
If the Wildcats lost, it would provide fodder for the doubters. Arizona closed as a 4.5-point favorite. No matter what the atmosphere was like, the Cats should have been able to beat a shorthanded Jayhawks team, right?
It turned out to be the latter. But anyone who thinks this was a “bad loss” either wasn’t watching or doesn’t follow college basketball.
Bill Self isn’t 40-0 at home on “Big Monday” by accident. He’s one of the best coaches of all time who’s had Kansas in contention for the national title for most of the past 20-plus years.
The Jayhawks are far more than a single star and a supporting cast. Take freshman forward Bryson Tiller, for example. He was a five-star, top-25 recruit. He’s 6-foot-11 with a 7-3 wingspan. It’s no surprise whatsoever that he went for 18-and-8 Monday night.
Consider the venue, too. If Allen Fieldhouse isn’t the best building in the sport, it’s in the top two. That was an A-plus-plus environment Monday — probably worth half-a-dozen points.
There’s no real way to quantify that. Then again, maybe there is.
2. Charity disparity
Arizona had a higher shooting percentage (44.4%) than Kansas (40.6%). The Wildcats made one more 3-pointer (six) than the Jayhawks (five) on the same number of attempts (15). Arizona outrebounded Kansas 45-41.
So how did the Wildcats manage to lose? The foul line tells the tale.
Arizona’s 14 free throw attempts were its second fewest this season. Its eight made free throws were its fewest.
Meanwhile, Kansas went 21 of 25 at the line. The Jayhawks had more made foul shots than the Wildcats had attempts — which is usually what Arizona does to its opponents.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka, left, and Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) vie for a rebound during the first half, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan.
The Wildcats shot only 57.1% from the stripe, but the attempts are the most meaningful number. The only game this season that was remotely similar was Auburn on Dec. 6 — a contest Arizona won by 29 points.
Why was the disparity so big in Lawrence? A few factors:
(1) The Wildcats settled for jump shots too often; 39 of their 57 shots inside the arc were considered jumpers, per StatBroadcast.
(2) The Jayhawks took the ball to the basket relentlessly, despite Motiejus Krivas’ massive presence in the paint.
(3) The officials undoubtedly got caught up in the moment. It happens at places like Allen Fieldhouse and McKale Center. It’s part of the reason it’s so hard for visitors to win at those venues.
3. Krivas vs. Bidunga
The battle of the big men was riveting.
Krivas played magnificently. He had a career-high 15 rebounds, tied his career best with six blocks, posted his second-most assists (four) and scored 14 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
Arizona guard Brayden Burries (5) scores as Kansas forward Flory Bidunga defends during the second half, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan.
Krivas didn’t attempt a free throw, which is stunning when you consider how much he was banging bodies on the block.
To his credit, KU counterpart Flory Bidunga just about matched Krivas’ output. Bidunga finished with 23 points (including seven free throws in nine attempts), 10 rebounds and three blocks. The last of those basically clinched the game.
With less than 25 seconds remaining and Arizona down 79-76, the Wildcats ran a pick-and-roll at the top of the circle with Brayden Burries and Krivas. Bidunga switched onto Burries, while Melvin Council Jr. switched onto Krivas — who summarily ducked down and posted up on the right block.
Burries crossed over Bidunga and appeared to have a half-step on him. But Bidunga used his quick feet, elite timing and left hand to swat Burries’ layup attempt to Council, who was immediately fouled.
Burries had a terrific game, scoring a team-high 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting with five rebounds, three steals and only one turnover. It’s hard to fault him for going to the rim on that play. But the wiser move would have been dumping the ball to Krivas, who’s nearly a foot taller than Council and outweighs him by 80 points. That was a guaranteed layup — or, at worst, two free throws.
It's all easier said than done, of course. It’s one thing to watch from afar and break down video for a column; it’s another to make the right decision in the heat of the moment.
Anyway, back to Krivas and Bidunga. What a fascinating matchup. Krivas showed all of his moves, including deft half-hooks with both hands. He displayed seldom-seen court vision. And he contested everything in his area — including two blocks on one possession in the second half.
Bidunga is smaller than Krivas — 6-10, 235 vs. 7-2, 260 — but the sophomore from Congo is springy and resourceful. And he never backed down.
Can’t wait for Round 2 on Feb. 28 at McKale.
4. Stars struggle
I’ve been thinking about doing a power ranking of Arizona’s top eight players. A month ago, Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat would have been Nos. 1 and 2, no questions asked. Burries has a case now, and Krivas might, too.
If you were power-ranking the Wildcats based on Monday night alone, Bradley and Peat wouldn’t be in the conversation for the top spot. They both struggled.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) attempts to score past Kansas guard Jamari McDowell, right, during the second half Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan.
Bradley just had an off night. The midrange shots that he couldn’t miss down the stretch in other tight games wouldn’t fall. He made just 2 of 8 field goals (and only 2 of 4 free throws) while contributing positively in other ways — five rebounds, four assists, three steals.
Peat might have had the worst game of his young career. He made only 2 of 11 shots — a career-worst 18.2%. He was also just 2 of 4 from the foul line.
This was one of the few times this season where it felt as if Peat was forcing the issue. Instead of rising up and taking the 12- to 15-foot jumpers that Kansas was giving him, Peat repeatedly tried to drive and spin — often ending up with harder shots.
Peat is strong and athletic and has a high basketball IQ. But he isn’t a quick leaper. Opponents are starting to catch onto that, resulting in shot attempts that are highly contested if not blocked outright.
Peat would be well served to work on a secondary move — maybe a lefty flip shot when he’s within a few feet of the basket. That would, in turn, make his turnaround jumper more effective.
Despite Bradley and Peat combining to shoot 4 of 19 from the field, Arizona still almost beat Kansas in Lawrence. It’s unlikely they’ll both be off to that degree in the same game again.
5. No letup
Monday night’s game was just the beginning of a schedule stretch that has to be the hardest any team faces this season.
No. 16 Texas Tech strolls into McKale on Saturday, followed by No. 22 BYU — which is slumping but still dangerous (see last year’s meeting in Tucson).
Then comes a trip to No. 3 Houston, which is 21-2 and firmly in the mix for a return visit to the Final Four. After a “break” at unranked Baylor — no gimme by any stretch despite its 3-8 conference record entering Tuesday — Kansas comes to town for the rematch. The home finale is against No. 5 Iowa State, which is also 21-2.
Arizona easily could lose two or three of those games. That’s just how it is in the Big 12. No cause for alarm.
What would worry me is if a pattern emerges or a significant injury occurs (knock on wood). If opponents try to replicate Kansas by packing the paint — and the Wildcats are unable to counter it — that would be a problem. I’d expect others to at least try, although not many have a Bidunga-like presence to pull it off.
Monday’s game should serve as a teaching tool for a UA team that’s still young and growing. It’s easy to overlook the Wildcats’ youthfulness because the freshmen are so precocious. Experiences like Monday should only make them better.
“I’m not mad we lost,” Tommy Lloyd told reporters late Monday night. “I can’t wait to get back on that plane (and) get back home. I feel like our season just started.”
Lloyd might be onto something. The winning streak is over. It’s time to begin another one.
