#1 Arizona vs. #11 Kansas Predictions, Picks & Odds: NCAAB on ESPN, 2/9

Monday night brings us a marquee top-10 matchup featuring two of the best teams in college basketball. We have #1 Arizona taking on #9 Kansas in a Big 12 showdown, holding plenty of weight for NCAA Tournament seeding and conference standings. Check out our #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas predictions ahead of tonight’s clash. 

Will the undefeated Arizona Wildcats stay perfect with a road victory tonight? Or can Darryn Peterson and the Kansas Jayhawks get it done at home? Don’t miss our #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas picks, which include betting odds, a full injury report, how to watch, and more.

#1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas Predictions for NCAAB on ESPN, 2/9

Before we get to the #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas predictions, let’s set the stage for Monday night’s Big 12 battle. Kansas is 18-5 on the season and currently riding a 7-game winning streak. The Jayhawks have statement victories over BYU, Texas Tech, and Iowa State over the past month as well. Future NBA lottery pick Darryn Peterson leads the way, averaging a team-high 20.5 PPG in his freshman campaign. 

Arizona, meanwhile, remains undefeated ahead of this matchup. The Wildcats are 23-0 with an average margin of victory of 21.7 PPG. Freshmen Brayden Burries (15.3 PPG) and Koa Peat (14.6 PPG) are living up to their preseason hype as they headline the top team in college basketball. Let’s now get to our #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas picks. 

#1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas Total Pick: Under 153.5 Total Points (-110 on BetMGM Sportsbook)

A real argument can be made for either Arizona or Kansas to win this game, hence why the spread is basically a pick’em. The Wildcats are undefeated for a reason and proven on the road this year. Kansas, though, is on a roll and boasts one of the best home-court advantages in the sport. Let’s instead focus on the total for our #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas predictions. 

Both teams are elite defensively and can keep this to a lower-scoring game than the total suggests. Per KenPom, Arizona ranks 2nd nationally in defensive efficiency, while Kansas is 7th. The Jayhawks’ defense has been especially dominant over the past month, allowing fewer than 70 points in 6 of the last 7 games. They’re also allowing just 67.3 PPG overall this year. 

In this matchup, Kansas’ top-tier interior defense can be a difference-maker in limiting the potent Arizona attack. The Jayhawks rank 6th in the country in opposing two-point shooting percentage allowed, and 2nd in defensive block rate. Flory Bidunga has emerged as one of the best shot-blockers and defensive big men in the country. Freshman center Bryson Tiller also provides size in the paint. 

With how well Kansas defends inside, it also usually forces teams to rely more on the three-pointer and find scoring from the perimeter. Well, that’s not what Arizona prefers to do. The Wildcats rank 361st nationally in percentage of three-point scoring of their overall points, while having the 6th-best two-point scoring rate. They also rank 15th in the Big 12 in three-point shooting during conference play (32.0%). 

Simply put, Arizona relies heavily on its ability to score in the paint. Yet, that won’t come easy in this matchup with Kansas being strong inside and forcing contested shots on the perimeter. We could see more scoreless stretches and empty possessions for the Wildcats than normal if they can’t hit from deep and/or get bottled up inside. 

It’s also worth noting that Kansas boasts one of the best defenses that Arizona has faced this year. In two other similar matchups, the ‘Cats were held to 71 points by UConn and 68 points by San Diego State. They won both games, but the scoring and offensive production were way down compared to what we regularly see from Zona. 

Meanwhile, as noted above, Arizona owns an elite defense itself. The Wildcats lead the Big 12 in opposing three-point shooting, two-point shooting, and defensive rebounding. That’s in addition to ranking 2nd overall in the whole country in defensive efficiency. They have the wing defenders to match up with Darryn Peterson and boast size at every position, including a dominant defensive frontcourt. 

Kansas will also look to slow this game down in general. Arizona likes to play fast and will want to make it a track meet. Yet, the Jayhawks can control the pace more at home and lean on the defense to avoid getting into a big deficit. Let’s take the under on the game total for our #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas picks. 
 

How To Watch #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas NCAAB on ESPN

Now that you have our #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas predictions, here’s how and when to watch Monday night’s game: 

• Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
• Time: 9:00 PM ET
• Location: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas
• TV: ESPN

#1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

Let’s now get to the full #1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas odds and betting lines ahead of tonight’s matchup, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook:

• Moneyline: Arizona -135 | Kansas +110
• Spread: Arizona -1.5 (-115) | Kansas +1.5 (-105)
• Over/Under: 153.5 (Over -110 | Under -110)
   

#1 Arizona vs. #9 Kansas Injury Report & Latest News

Arizona Injury Report

• None

Kansas Injury Report

• Elmarko Jackson (G) – Questionable, Undisclosed

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