LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas climb picked up more steam Monday night as the No. 9 Jayhawks knocked off top-ranked Arizona 82-78.
Less than a month after falling out of The Associated Press Top 25, Kansas (19-5, 9-2 Big 12) has won eight in a row and clawed its way back into Big 12 title contention, trailing previously unbeaten Arizona (23-1, 10-1) by one game. Houston is currently in second, a half-game ahead of Kansas. The third-ranked Cougars face Utah on Tuesday night.
“We couldn’t lose this game,” senior guard Melvin Council Jr. said after knocking off Arizona. “We were just ready and prepared and we knew it was going to be a long game with a bunch of runs.”
Kansas trailed by as many as 11 points in the game and did not hold a lead until the clock read 9:32 in the second half. Four Jayhawks finished in double figures, led by Flory Bidunga and Council Jr, who scored 23 points apiece. Bidunga also grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Jayhawks played without freshman standout Darryn Peterson, who was experiencing flu-like symptoms and missed the game. Self revealed after the game that Peterson had missed practice on Sunday and didn’t know until about a half hour before the game that he would be unavailable. Despite missing 11 games, Peterson leads the Jayhawks in scoring, averaging 20.5 points.
“A lot of teams, this time of year, when you get to early February, they know where their ceiling is, and the great teams are operating pretty close to their ceiling, Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I don’t know where our ceiling is, and I know that we’re not close to it yet, though.”
The victory ended a 23-game winning streak for Arizona. It was the second-longest streak in Division I men’s basketball behind Miami (Ohio), which has won 24 straight.
With the win, Kansas improved to 2-2 against top-10 opponents this season. It was also the Jayhawks’ first win against the AP’s top-ranked team at Allen Fieldhouse.
“Kansas is a hell of a team,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said after the game. “They beat the No. 1 team in the country at home tonight. They did a hell of a job and their coach did a hell of a job.”
Four Jayhawks finished the game in double figures, with Bryson Tiller scoring 18 and Jamari McDowell adding 10.
Brayden Burries led all scorers with 25 points for Arizona. Teammate Motiejus Krivas recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Ivan Kharchenkov scored 13.
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Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson (13) attempts to score as Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov, right, defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) reacts after scoring during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gui Santos made a go-ahead layup with 19 seconds left and Al Horford stole the ball from Cam Spencer moments later after he rebounded a Memphis miss, and the Golden State Warriors rallied late to beat the Grizzlies 114-113 on Monday night.
Pat Spencer had 17 points and seven assists, leading seven players in double figures for a Warriors team missing Stephen Curry for the fourth straight game because of a lingering right knee injury that coach Steve Kerr said would keep him out of the All-Star Game on Sunday.
De'Anthony Melton's layup with 2:46 left pulled the Warriors within 113-110 and Moses Moody made it a one-point game with 2 minutes remaining. Brandin Podziemski, Santos and Horford each scored 16 points, and Moody 15.
Earlier in the day, Curry's backcourt mate, Jimmy Butler, underwent surgery in Los Angeles for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that ended his season last month.
Ty Jerome scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half and also dished out seven assists for Memphis, outscored 11-0 to end the game after Jaylen Wells' jumper with 4:17 to go.
Jahmai Mashack scored 17 points off the bench, Taylor Hendricks had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope contributed 15 points — and the Grizzlies reserves scored 68 points, most Golden State has given up to an opponent's backups this season.
Memphis lost its third straight and ninth of 11. The Warriors won the first meeting 131-118 on Oct. 27 at Chase Center — and have won the last eight meetings overall at home dating to a 104-101 defeat at Chase Center on Oct. 28, 2021.
Golden State cut Memphis’ lead to 54-53 on a layup by Spencer with 2:58 remaining in the second quarter, then the Grizzlies closed the half with an 11-4 run for a 65-57 lead at the break — getting five straight points from Scotty Pippen Jr. during the stretch.
Draymond Green scored 14 points with four 3-pointers and moved past Latrell Sprewell (8,032) for 14th place on the Warriors' franchise scoring list.
Grizzlies: At Denver on Wednesday night to wrap up a five-game trip before the All-Star break.
Warriors: Host San Antonio on Wednesday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson, right, and Golden State Warriors guard De'anthony Melton, left, reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer, left, is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry stands at the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Taylor Hendricks (22) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (5) shoots against Golden State Warriors center Al Horford (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
