Kansas vs Arizona: Jayhawks stun unbeaten Wildcats 82–78 at Allen Fieldhouse

Kansas delivered one of the season’s biggest statements Monday night, rallying past top-ranked Arizona 82–78 at Allen Fieldhouse to hand the Wildcats their first loss and tighten the Big 12 race. The Jayhawks trailed by double digits in the second half, then flipped the game with a ferocious late surge powered by rim protection, stops, and timely free throws.

The result also upended the pregame script: Arizona entered 23–0, favored by a small margin, and looked in control before Kansas ripped off a decisive run that turned a marquee road test into a defining win.

A late 25–9 run turns the game

Arizona pushed the pace early and carried a 45–42 halftime lead, then stretched the margin to 11 in the second half as Kansas struggled to string together clean offensive possessions. With about eight minutes left, the game still leaned Arizona’s way.

Then Kansas changed the temperature. The Jayhawks tightened up on drives, forced tougher finishing attempts, and converted stops into quick scoring chances. The swing came in a 25–9 burst that erased the deficit and put Kansas in front late. Down the stretch, Kansas finished the job with defensive plays at the rim and a calm closing sequence at the foul line.

Bidunga anchors the paint, Council drives the finish

Kansas freshman big man Flory Bidunga was the most consistent force on the floor, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds while repeatedly deterring Arizona around the basket. His presence mattered even when he wasn’t recording a block—Arizona’s drivers hesitated, altered angles, and settled for harder attempts in traffic.

Melvin Council Jr. matched Bidunga with 23 points, adding six rebounds and six assists, and was central to Kansas’ late-game execution. When Arizona’s defense loaded up, Council’s shot-making and decision-making kept Kansas from bogging down.

Kansas also played without freshman standout Darryn Peterson, who missed the game with flu-like symptoms, making the win even more notable given the missing rotation piece.

Arizona’s stars produce, but Kansas wins the closing moments

Arizona still got big numbers. Brayden Burries scored a game-high 25 points, and Motiejus Krivas posted 14 points and 15 rebounds, giving the Wildcats interior presence and second-chance opportunities.

But the final minute swung on small, winning details: a key defensive stand at the rim, clean defensive rebounds, and composed free throws that prevented Arizona from extending the game with extra possessions. Kansas didn’t need perfect offense—just enough poise to protect a narrow lead once it finally seized it.

What the win means in the Big 12 race

For Kansas, the victory is both résumé fuel and a momentum marker. Beating a No. 1 team at home is rare, and doing it by coming back from an 11-point second-half hole signals a group that can win multiple styles of games—especially when the defense travels.

For Arizona, the first loss doesn’t erase what has been a dominant season, but it does reset the conversation from “perfect” to “tested.” Road environments like Allen Fieldhouse expose late-game execution, rebounding discipline, and how a team responds when the opponent’s run hits at full volume.

Where to watch Kansas vs Arizona

If you were looking for “where to watch” the matchup: it aired Monday night (Feb. 9, 2026) in a national prime-time window, tipping at 9:00 p.m. ET. Full replays and condensed highlights are typically available through the same national rightsholder that carried the broadcast, along with on-demand access in that broadcaster’s streaming products (availability can vary by subscription and market).

For team-specific audio, both programs also provide live radio coverage through their official networks, and those feeds often post postgame shows and clips after the final horn.

Betting line vs. reality: why the upset surprised

Pregame odds painted this as close: Arizona was a slight favorite (around –2.5) with a total near the mid-150s. The final score landed higher than that total would suggest, but the bigger surprise was the ending—Kansas’ ability to manufacture a game-changing run against a team that hadn’t blinked all season.

Game snapshot (ET)

Sources consulted: Reuters; ESPN; CBS Sports; Arizona Wildcats Athletics