Game of the night. The number one team in the country heads to Allen Fieldhouse to take on No. 11 Kansas in what should be the matchup that sets the tone for the rest of the week. Arizona is still a perfect 23-0 and looking to stay that way. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks are eyeing their biggest win of the season as they try to hand their Big 12 rival its first loss. Can they do it? I have thoughts.
Red Hot Birds
This will likely be the public play of the day, but I do not care. I love how well the Jayhawks have been playing over the last few weeks. Over their last ten games, Kansas has posted a top 35 offense and a top 20 defense. They have excelled at blocking shots, limiting fouls, and consistently attacking the rim.
The Jayhawks have endured the 3rd toughest schedule in the country up to this point, while Arizona has played the 51st. Despite their perfect record, the Wildcats have shown some issues away from home. Haslametrics ranks them 251st in away home court metrics, while the Jayhawks sit at 42nd.
Haslam states, "We would expect a potential performance bump for the home team here. Kansas has performed far better at home than they have away from home this season. To boot, they are facing Arizona, a team that has played their worst basketball this year away from their home court."
In six true road games this season, Arizona's numbers drop rather drastically. At home, the Wildcats rank 110th in turnover percentage defense. On the road, that number falls to 226th. At home, they are 73rd in three point percentage, while away from home they drop to 141st. Their perimeter defense also slips from 86th to 114th.
Tonight's game will most likely come down to pace. If the Jayhawks can keep this game at a moderate tempo and avoid turning it into a track meet, they should be able to keep this one close at home and possibly pull off the upset. It is going to be a blast watching a top three defense take on the number one team in the nation.
ROCK CHALK.
