The Kansas Jayhawks and the Arizona Wildcats continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Thursday, March 13th, 2025, in Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament.
Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. central on ESPN and ESPN+. Kansas (21-11) is unranked, while Arizona (20-11, 14-6 in Big 12) is also unranked.
Thursday’s game between Kansas and Arizona wraps up the evening session of quarterfinal action in the Big 12 Tournament, where the winner will continue to play again on Friday in the semifinals. The loser heads home.
Kansas enters the quarterfinals coming off a 98-94 overtime win over UCF on Wednesday night. Arizona is playing its first game of the tournament after a double bye into the quarterfinals.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch Kansas vs. Arizona
Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025
Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN/ESPN+
Site: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas vs. Arizona Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Pick ‘Em
Current Line: Arizona -3
Over/Under: 151.5 (opened 155)
Kansas vs. Arizona Predictions
Kansas played the most dramatic game of the Big 12 Tournament through two rounds, beating UCF by four points in overtime. The Knights were every bit Kansas’ equal on Wednesday, which seems to be a theme when the two teams play each other.
The Jayhawks got the big games they needed from center Hunter Dickinson (23 points, 13 rebounds) and from guard Zeke Mayo (24 points, five 3-pointers). But the encouraging game came from guard AJ Storr, who had 19 points off the bench. That was his season high. He hadn’t scored in double figures since Jan. 22.
That was a huge lift for KU. To keep moving in this tournament, the Jayhawks need him to do it again.
Arizona gets the benefit of the extra rest, thanks to the double bye. It also enters the game with a little motivation. The Wildcats played the Jayhawks on Saturday in Lawrence, where they absorbed an 83-76 loss. Beware the team that loses and gets a rematch within a week.
The Wildcats can put up points. Six players average more than eight points per game, led by guard Caleb Love, who averages 16.4 points. But it’s the duo of Henri Veesaar and Tobe Awaka inside that can really make things hard on Kansas. The pair started together last weekend and only Awaka had a solid game, with 10 points and nine rebounds.
One of the most interesting strategy points for coach Tommy Lloyd is whether he’ll go big again or start with one of them on his bench?
This game presents challenges for both teams. But I’ve always been one to go with the team coming off the loss and looking for a little revenge.
Arizona 89, Kansas 85
ESPN Matchup Predictor: N/A
Odds Shark: N/A
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
