Home / Sports / Kansas Upsets Arizona Without Star, Stays Hot
Kansas Upsets Arizona Without Star, Stays Hot
13 Feb
Summary
- Kansas defeated top-ranked Arizona despite Peterson's absence.
- Bidunga's double-double led the Jayhawks' improbable win.
- Iowa State lost to TCU, snapping a five-game streak.
The Kansas Jayhawks, ranked ninth nationally, extended their winning streak to eight games by defeating the previously undefeated No. 1 Arizona Wildcats. This significant victory occurred on Monday, with Kansas securing an 82-78 win. Key player Darryn Peterson was sidelined due to illness, but his absence was effectively covered by a stellar performance from big man Flory Bidunga, who achieved a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The Jayhawks' resilience was evident in their free-throw performance, converting 21 of 25 attempts while Arizona struggled, making only 8 of 14. This advantage, coupled with Bidunga's defensive efforts, including a crucial block in the final seconds, sealed the upset. Bidunga has been a consistent force, averaging 14.9 points, nine rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game.
In other Big 12 action, No. 5 Iowa State's five-game winning streak was broken with a 62-55 loss to TCU on Tuesday. The Cyclones, who now trail Kansas by one game in the conference standings, struggled offensively, shooting poorly from three-point range and committing 17 turnovers. Coach T.J. Otzelberger emphasized the team's need to improve ball security, especially with crucial players like Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson on the roster.
