No. 9 Kansas rallies to end No. 1 Arizona's unbeaten run

Flory Bidunga's double-double leads Jayhawks to upset victory over previously undefeated Wildcats

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Flory Bidunga scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 9 Kansas handed top-ranked Arizona its first loss of the season, 82-78 on Monday at Lawrence, Kan. The Wildcats (23-1, 10-1 Big 12) achieved the best start in Big 12 history at 23-0 overall before the defeat. Kansas (19-5, 9-2) beat the No. 1 team at Allen Fieldhouse for the first time ever after losing five such games, including to Arizona the last time in 2003.

Why it matters

This upset victory over the previously undefeated No. 1 team in the nation is a significant accomplishment for the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks, who have struggled to beat top-ranked opponents at home in recent years. The win also shakes up the national college basketball landscape and creates a new frontrunner in the Big 12 conference race.

The details

Kansas trailed by 11 points with 17 minutes remaining before rallying to take the lead late in the game. Bidunga made two free throws with 1:35 left to put the Jayhawks ahead 75-71. Arizona's Jaden Bradley missed a shot before Melvin Council Jr. made a driving layup to extend Kansas' lead to 77-71 with 51 seconds left. Arizona made it close late, but Kansas held on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • Kansas trailed by 11 points with 17:02 remaining in the second half before rallying to win.

The players

Flory Bidunga

A key player for Kansas who scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the upset victory.

Melvin Council Jr.

A Kansas player who made a crucial driving layup late in the game to help seal the win for the Jayhawks.

Jaden Bradley

An Arizona player who missed a key shot late in the game as the Wildcats tried to mount a comeback.

Brayden Burries

An Arizona player who scored a team-high 25 points in the losing effort.

Motiejus Krivas

An Arizona player who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge win for our team. We knew we had to battle back against the No. 1 team in the country, and our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to get the job done.”

— Bill Self, Head Coach, Kansas Jayhawks (Kansas City Star)

What’s next

The win over Arizona puts Kansas in a strong position in the Big 12 conference race. The Jayhawks will look to build on this momentum as they continue their conference schedule.

The takeaway

Kansas' upset victory over the previously undefeated No. 1 team in the nation demonstrates the Jayhawks' ability to compete with the best teams in college basketball, even when facing adversity. This win could be a turning point in Kansas' season and set them up for a deep NCAA Tournament run.