Jayhawks to embark on trip to Arizona for games against U of A, Arizona State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- KU starts two-game Arizona trip with adjusted logistics to be better situated
- Jayhawks face No. 2 Arizona Saturday while remaining mathematically in title race
- Coach Self stresses having all players 100% for postseason success
The Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team embarked on a true two-game, five-day road trip to the state of Utah in mid-February 2025.
The Jayhawks, who left Lawrence with an 8-5 record in Big 12 games, returned 8-7 after first losing to Utah 74-67 on Feb. 15 in Salt Lake City, then getting pounded 91-57 by BYU on Feb. 18 in Provo, Utah.
Because of the Saturday/Tuesday schedule of games played 1,100 miles from KU’s campus, the Jayhawks did not return to Lawrence after the Utah matchup, instead staying in Salt Lake until the day before the game at BYU.
On Friday, the Jayhawks will board a charter flight to the state of Arizona for this year’s true two-game road trip with an 11-4 Big 12 record 21-7 mark overall. KU coach Bill Self is hoping for better results than a year ago.
Saturday’s game at No. 2 Arizona (26-2, 13-2) is at 3 p.m. Central Time in Tucson, Ariz. KU then visits unranked Arizona State (14-14, 5-10) for an 8 p.m. CT game on Tuesday in Tempe, Ariz.
“Whatever we did last year, let’s do the polar opposite this year,” KU coach Bill Self said Thursday. “That’s what I learned. If we ate red meat last year, let’s eat fish this trip, because that trip stunk all the way around.
“Logistically, we are going to do something a little bit different, if you’re wanting to know that. We’re going to play in Tucson, and then, after the game, go to Phoenix, rather than stay in Tucson and then try to split up the trip. Let’s just go ahead and spend the majority of time in Tempe, just so that way, we can get there and probably get more situated than last year.
“If I’m not mistaken, we were in Salt Lake and stayed most of the day in Salt Lake, and then went to Provo after that. That didn’t have anything to do with the results, but certainly I think this will be a little more easier for the guys.”
The Jayhawks defeated Arizona 82-78 on Feb. 9 at Allen Fieldhouse when the Wildcats were ranked No. 1 in the country and KU was ranked No. 9. Arizona is now ranked No. 2; KU is No. 14.
“It’s going to be everything that it took in game one and more, for sure,” KU sophomore Jamari McDowell said of the rematch against Arizona at McKale Center, which seats 14,688 fans. “When we played them here obviously it was a tough game.
“They are a really good team. They’re big, fast, strong on every position, so they’re a really good team, but what we had here isn’t going to be enough. We have to bring some more energy.”
KU travels to Arizona still mathematically alive in the Big 12 race. Arizona enters the weekend with a 13-2 league record. KU, Iowa State, Houston and Texas Tech are 11-4. Arizona could clinch at least a tie for the regular-season crown with a win Saturday.
“I think you’re looking at Arizona being the 90 to 95% prohibitive favorite to go ahead and close it out. But who knows?” Self said. “I see everybody needs a lot of help in order for Arizona not to get it done.”
Self talked about preparing for Arizona a second time after defeating the Wildcats at Allen on Feb. 9.
“I think a lot of times if you win at home the first game, sometimes that can create a false sense of security going back on the road to try to win the second game,” Self said. “I also think that in a situation like Arizona, I don’t think it matters first or second (meeting). I think there’ll be the psyche in the middle. The approach would be the same and the same type of excitement regardless of the outcome of the first game. So I don’t see that being a factor in this particular situation.”
Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat, who had six points and five rebounds with three assists and two blocks while playing 33 minutes the first meeting against KU, has missed the last three games because of a lower-body injury. Also, reserve freshman wing Dwayne Aristode, who had five points in eight minutes vs. KU, has missed the last four games because of an illness.
“I think we hopefully have some reinforcements coming soon which they’ll be welcomed,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd told reporters after Tuesday’s 87-80 win at Baylor. “(Peat) would be a great reinforcement. I’ve got nothing confirmed … hopefully we’re nearing the point where he’ll be able to play soon.”
Lloyd used a seven-man rotation against the Bears in Waco.
“They haven’t been a full strength,” Self said, “but they also have played very well, regardless of how you look at it, without Koa.”
Arizona has won three consecutive games. Meanwhile, after this road trip KU will return home to play Kansas State in a regular-season finale/senior day showdown on March 7.
And after that it’s on to the Big 12 tournament and NCAA Tournament.
Asked what it will take to make a run in the postseason, Self said Thursday: “I think you’ve got to do more than one thing, but I would say have all our players 100%, probably as much as anything. I mean, I think that’s probably more important than actually breaking it down to rebounding or making shots.
“I think the bottom line is, have have all your players available and 100%”
