Live Game Thread & Updates for No. 9 Kansas vs No. 1 Arizona

Kansas and Arizona are close to tipping off one of the most anticipated Big 12 regular-season matchups of the decade. The Jayhawks are looking to hand the Wildcats their first loss of the campaign amid UA's incredible 23-0 start.

If you cannot tune into the contest and want quick and consistent live updates of the contest, refresh this page periodically to stay up to date with what is going on in the game.

First Half

Pregame - Darryn Peterson is a late scratch from the starting lineup due to flu-like symptoms — wow. In his place, Jamari McDowell will enter the starting five. KU's top weapon is sidelined tonight.

18:26 - Early offensive struggles for the Jayhawks, who have missed their first two shot attempts and committed a turnover. The Wildcats cruised to a 6-0 run to start the game and Allen Fieldhouse is quite deflated knowing that its star player is absent. Arizona leads, 6-0.

16:46 - Motiejus Krivas has consecutive turnovers in the paint, first a double-dribble and then a travel. The crowd is starting to get back into the game. Arizona leads, 6-2.

15:38 - Kansas is shooting 2-for-9 from the field and has turned the ball over three times in the early going. The Wildcats lead by six and are heading to the free throw line for a pair after the first TV timeout. Arizona leads, 10-4.

14:48 - Five consecutive points for McDowell, who now leads the Jayhawks in scoring. He hit a big-time three in the corner to cut the deficit to four. Arizona leads, 13-9.

12:47 - Bidunga with a big block on a fast-break opportunity, but the Wildcats' points are coming far too easily. KU needs to tighten up on defense before its opponent starts to pull away. Arizona leads, 17-13.

11:38 - Tiller is almost single-handedly keeping his team in it right now, leading the game with eight points on some tough post-ups. Bidunga is heading to the line for two free throws once the TV timeout is complete. Arizona leads, 19-15.

9;47- What a game from Tiller so far. He knocks down back-to-back threes and the KU crowd is loving it. But Krivas is too big for Arizona, and even when it misses shots, the Jayhawks cannot seem to get a rebound off a miss. Arizona leads, 24-22.

7:48 - Kansas is committing too many silly turnovers to stay in this game. Elmarko Jackson wasn't expecting a pass from Council and let it roll out of bounds, leading to a basket on the other end. The Jayhawks' lack of size is increasingly evident by the minute. Arizona leads, 29-22.

6:28 - Council connected on an electric and-1 basket for his first points of the night, and Bidunga threw down a loud dunk under the rim. Still, the points are coming too easily for Arizona. Tobe Awaka had an and-1 himself but missed the foul shot. Arizona leads, 31-27.

3:00 - Kansas has stormed all the way back to tie it. McDowell hit a three in the corner to bring the house down. The Allen Fieldhouse crowd is electric right now. Kansas and Arizona are tied, 38-38.

Second Half

N/A

Feb 7, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) shoots against Utah Utes forward Kendyl Sanders (13) during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

How to Watch Kansas vs. Arizona

Time: 8 p.m. CT
Channel: ESPN
Link: Watch ESPN

Kansas vs. Arizona Basketball Preview

Kansas' top threat is Darryn Peterson (20.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG), the potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. He is backed by supporting cast members Flory Bidunga (14.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.8 BPG), Tre White (14.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG), and Melvin Council Jr. (13.7 PPG, 5.1 APG).

After opening conference play 1-2 and falling out of the national rankings, the Jayhawks have risen to No. 9 in the country. Bill Self's group has rattled off an unreal seven-game winning streak that began last month when the team had seemingly hit rock bottom.

Arizona is led by a duo of uber-talented freshmen in Koa Peat (14.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG) and Brayden Burries (15.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG). Both are incredibly talented first-year stars who will likely hear their names called in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery.

It is the No. 2-ranked team in KenPom, boasting the No. 5 offense in the country and No. 1 defense in the country. The Wildcats have been the unanimous top choice in the AP Top 25 for four consecutive weeks with the latest release of the poll today.