Arizona Clinches Share of Big 12 Title with Win Over Kansas

Wildcats dominate in the paint and on the boards to defeat the Jayhawks

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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No. 2 Arizona clinched a share of the Big 12 regular season title with an 84-61 win over No. 14 Kansas on Saturday. The Wildcats were led by guard Brayden Burries, who had a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds. Arizona's defense also stood out, with forward Ivan Kharchenkov limiting Kansas star Darryn Peterson to an inefficient 8-of-21 shooting performance.

Why it matters

This win over a ranked Kansas team is Arizona's most complete game of the season, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the floor. With the return of forwards Koa Peat and Dwayne Aristode, the Wildcats have regained full strength and look primed for a deep NCAA Tournament run.

The details

Arizona controlled the game from start to finish, leading for 94% of the contest. The Wildcats outscored the Jayhawks 48-26 in the paint and 16-0 in second-chance points. Burries' all-around performance, including his work on the glass, was a key factor in Arizona's rebounding advantage of 48-26.

  • Arizona clinched a share of the Big 12 regular season title with the win.
  • The Wildcats have two games remaining in the regular season, hosting No. 6 Iowa State and traveling to Colorado.

The players

Brayden Burries

A star guard for Arizona who had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Kansas.

Ivan Kharchenkov

An Arizona forward who played strong defense on Kansas' Darryn Peterson, limiting him to an inefficient shooting performance.

Koa Peat

An Arizona forward who returned from injury to play 23 minutes in the win, providing a boost to the Wildcats' lineup.

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What they’re saying

“He's a great combo guard. He can score, he's physical, he's fast, he can get downhill. I think he's terrific.”

— Bill Self, Kansas Head Coach (All Sports Tucson)

“Ivan's a consummate professional. The guy plays extremely hard. He takes scouting reports really serious. He takes guarding a guy and his individual tendencies extremely serious. He's a winner and he's really grown into that role.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Head Coach (All Sports Tucson)

What’s next

Arizona will look to clinch the outright Big 12 regular season title when they host No. 6 Iowa State on Wednesday night.

The takeaway

Arizona's dominant win over Kansas showcases their potential as a national title contender, with the return of key players and their stifling defense making them a formidable opponent for any team in the country.