Darryn Peterson sits out; Kansas hands No. 1 Arizona first loss, 82-78
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Jayhawks pulled off a seismic upset Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 (ET), beating previously unbeaten Arizona 82-78 at Allen Fieldhouse without starting guard Darryn Peterson, who missed the game with flu-like symptoms. Kansas rallied in the second half behind big games from Flory Bidunga and Melvin Council Jr., handing the Wildcats their first loss since March 27, 2025.
Jayhawks weather the storm without their projected No. 1 pick
Scouts and NBA executives had streamed into Lawrence to see Darryn Peterson, the projected top draft pick, but he was unable to play after dealing with an illness that kept him from practicing Sunday and left him in the training room during pregame. Head coach Bill Self said Peterson tried to contribute but ultimately couldn’t get there, and the team learned of his unavailability about 10 minutes before tipoff.
Despite that late break, Kansas dug in. The Jayhawks outscored Arizona 38-23 over the final 17 minutes to turn an early deficit into a win, becoming the first team in 30 seasons to beat an No. 1 opponent without having a 20-point-per-game scorer on the roster.
Bidunga and Council Jr. carry the load
Flory Bidunga finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, joining a rare company of players to post that stat line in a win over a No. 1 team. Melvin Council Jr. added 23 points and key late free throws, and Bryson Tiller chipped in 18 points, including a thunderous dunk that helped blunt an Arizona rally in the closing minutes. The trio combined for 64 points in Peterson’s absence.
Kansas’ gritty performance in the paint and timely defense ultimately offset Arizona’s top-ranked offense and defense metrics. Bidunga’s rim presence and shot swats were especially critical down the stretch, including a game-saving block with 17 seconds remaining that preserved a three-point lead.
Self’s uncharacteristic celebration and a belief in more to come
Coach Self let the moment sink in with visible emotion, a double fist pump and postgame embraces with key players. He praised the effort but insisted the team can still improve. Self noted the Jayhawks surrendered 45 first-half points and gave up 18 offensive rebounds, and he emphasized that the win felt like a floor to build on rather than a finished product.
“We’re better than what we played, when we get all our pieces, ” Self said, underscoring the notion that this victory could be a springboard if Kansas can sustain consistency and health the rest of the season.
Wildcats respond with measured perspective
Arizona’s coach urged focus on Kansas’ performance rather than the absence of Peterson, applauding the Jayhawks for a hard-fought second-half run. The Wildcats dominated earlier this season with several blowout wins but struggled to finish at the rim Monday and were outmuscled down the stretch. Arizona converted fewer second-chance opportunities than usual and saw a surprising imbalance in the free-throw count.
Even in defeat, the Wildcats' demeanor was even-keeled. The message was pragmatic: a loss is an opportunity to recalibrate, and the season remains long.
Turning points and what’s next
Key moments included Kansas’ defensive clamps in the final 17 minutes, Council’s late floater to extend the lead to six, and clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds that sealed the outcome. For Arizona, missed finishes at the rim and a failure to curb offensive rebounds proved costly.
Beyond the box score and draft chatter, the upset offers a reminder of depth and resilience in college hoops — and even spawned oddball side chatter on social feeds, where an unrelated term like "koa peat" briefly trended as a metaphor for the earthy, grounded effort Kansas displayed. For now the Jayhawks can celebrate a signature win at Allen Fieldhouse, while Arizona will retool and press on with its season intact.
