No. 9 Kansas defeated No. 1 Arizona 82-78 on Saturday, February 9, 2026, in a significant upset for college basketball. The game, played in Lawrence, Kansas, saw the Jayhawks overcome a strong performance from the Wildcats to secure the victory.
Kansas led 42-45 at halftime, and continued to build on that lead in the second half, ultimately outscoring Arizona 40-33. The final score of 82-78 reflects a closely contested match, according to reports from ESPN and university athletic departments.
The win marks a notable achievement for Kansas, whereas Arizona suffered its first loss of the season. CBS Sports had previously offered predictions for the game, but the actual outcome diverged from the model’s forecast.
Details regarding individual player performances were not immediately available, but the box score indicates a total of 78 points for Arizona and 82 for Kansas. The game drew significant attention, evidenced by 812 votes and 967 comments online following the contest.
As of February 10, 2026, no statements have been released by either university regarding the game’s implications for future matchups or tournament seeding.
