As the Arizona Wildcats gear up for their Big Monday clash against the Kansas Jayhawks, head coach Tommy Lloyd shared his thoughts about the formidable opponent and the iconic atmosphere at Allen Fieldhouse. Both teams are coming off decisive victories on Saturday, with Arizona dominating Oklahoma State by 37 points, setting the stage for a high-stakes matchup in Lawrence.
Lloyd emphasized the respect he holds for both Kansas and their head coach, Bill Self. Reflecting on last year”s experience in Allen Fieldhouse, he stated, “We played there last year, and I”ll be honest, I played a lot of places. I came away from there thinking, alright, it is different. But nothing but positive thoughts for them as a program, and it”s going to be an honor to compete against them.”
In their previous encounter, the Wildcats were unable to secure a win against Kansas on Senior Day, with Hunter Dickinson scoring 33 points for the Jayhawks. This season, both teams have shown significant improvement. Arizona remains undefeated and ranks highly in various statistical categories, including defensive metrics.
Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley, who played in Allen Fieldhouse last season, echoed Lloyd”s sentiments about the challenging environment. He described it as “crazy in there,” noting the difficulty in communicating on the court due to the enthusiastic fans. Bradley, who scored a team-high 21 points in that game, is having a standout season, averaging 13.8 points and 4.5 assists.
While the reputation of Allen Fieldhouse as one of the loudest venues in college basketball adds pressure, the Jayhawks will need to deliver a near-perfect performance to overcome Arizona. Historically, Kansas has never defeated a team ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll at home, underscoring the significance of the challenge ahead.
Both Lloyd and Bradley are keenly aware of the rich history and competitive spirit that defines Kansas basketball, indicating their respect for the program and the unique atmosphere they will encounter on Monday night.
