Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) reacts after scoring against the Kansas Jayhawks during a game inside Allen Fieldhouse on February 9, 2026. Second-ranked Arizona can bounce back from a loss at Kansas earlier this month and clinch the Big 12 regular-season title by beating the 14th-ranked Jayhawks on Saturday in Tucson, Arizona.
The Wildcats (26-2, 13-2 Big 12) have won three straight, including Houston on Saturday and Baylor on Tuesday.
Kansas (21-7, 11-4) can stay in the hunt for the regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Tournament with a sweep of Arizona.
The Jayhawks handed Arizona their first loss of the season with an 82-78 win on Feb. 9 in Lawrence, Kansas. This came shortly after the Wildcats posted a program-record 23-0 start to the season.
Kansas won 69-56 over No. 5 Houston in Lawrence after losing its previous game against Cincinnati.
“I don’t know where our ceiling is,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “But I know we’re not close to there yet. I think it’s another big step we can take, and it’s great to know that we believe our best ball may still be well ahead of us.”
Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson sat out the previous game against Arizona due to flu-like symptoms.
The Jayhawks focused on the interior presence of Flory Bidunga, who finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Peterson is expected to join the lineup Saturday and add to a formidable perimeter that includes Tre White (14.0 points per game) and Melvin Council Jr. (13.5 points, 5.1 assists per game).
Arizona’s perimeter trio includes Brayden Burries (15.5 points per game), Jaden Bradley (13.9 points per game, 4.7 assists) and Ivan Kharchenkov (10.1 points per game, 1.5 steals).
“We’re going to go there with great respect for Kansas and Coach Self,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “We know this is going to be an amazing game. It’s going to be a really great atmosphere. We’re excited to be here and have the opportunity to compete on such a big stage.”
Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat has missed the last three games with a leg muscle injury.
Peat was listed as questionable at Baler on Tuesday. He warmed up before the game but did not play.
Freshman reserve guard Dwayne Aristode has not played since the loss at Kansas due to an undisclosed illness.
“I think we’ll get reinforcements soon,” Lloyd said. “They will be welcome. (Pitt) will be a huge boost. Nothing has been confirmed yet. I hope he gets close to a point where he can play soon.”
Pitt’s presence will make Arizona’s inside game even stronger.
Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas combined for 18.0 rebounds per game.
Awaka (9.6 points, 9.6 rebounds per game) is averaging close to a double-double despite playing 21.5 minutes per game.
Krivas is shooting 58.5% from the field and averaging 1.8 blocked shots per game.
“I think this Arizona team has a real chance (to win a national title), I really do,” Self said. “They have size and the game is trending toward getting bigger, not smaller. I don’t know if you can remember playing against a team that could stymie you to 10 feet in a game the way their two bigs, no matter who they are, can.”
–Field level media
