Kansas Jayhawks Prepare For Showdown Against Texas Tech

The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team is gearing up for another pivotal Big 12 Conference clash, this time hitting the road to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 3, 2026, at 8 p.m. CT in Lubbock, Texas. With both teams holding identical 16-5 overall records and sitting at 6-2 in conference play, Monday night's matchup is shaping up to be a high-stakes affair with major implications for the Big 12 standings and, potentially, NCAA Tournament seeding down the line.

Coming off a hard-fought 90-82 victory over BYU on February 1, the Jayhawks have momentum on their side, riding a five-game winning streak that has seen them climb to 13th in the national rankings. But with little time to recover and prepare, head coach Bill Self and his squad are facing a quick turnaround—something senior Melvin Council Jr. says is all part of the Kansas experience. "This is what you come to Kansas for, to play in games like this," Council noted after the BYU game, emphasizing the team's readiness to embrace the challenge despite the condensed schedule.

Self, always mindful of his players' energy reserves, described Sunday's session as more of a walkthrough than a full-blown practice. "We’ll do what we can to get to Monday’s game without expending any energy," he explained, highlighting the importance of rest and strategic preparation. The stakes are raised even higher given that Texas Tech, led by standout junior JT Toppin and sophomore Christian Anderson, is coming off a tough loss at UCF and will be eager to rebound in front of their home fans. Self expects Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland to have his team locked in, meaning Kansas can't afford to be anything less than sharp.

Reflecting on the BYU win, Council's clutch performance down the stretch proved crucial. With BYU trimming what was once a 21-point Kansas lead down to just four late in the second half, Council delivered a monumental jumper that pushed the margin back to six and all but ended BYU's comeback hopes. "I just needed to get a bucket, and my teammates trusted me with the ball," Council said, underscoring the confidence and chemistry that have been building within the Jayhawks' locker room throughout this winning stretch.

Self was quick to highlight the importance of composure and execution in crunch time, especially given the fatigue factor. "At that point, our team was tired, and we were just trying to get to the finish line," he admitted. He also praised the poise of sophomore Flory Bidunga and redshirt sophomore Jamari McDowell, both of whom hit key free throws to help seal the win.

BYU's senior Richie Saunders put on a show of his own, pouring in 33 points—including 24 after halftime and five three-pointers in the second half—to keep the Cougars within striking distance. Council was generous in his assessment of Saunders, acknowledging, "He simply thrived in the second half. We tried what we could to contain him, but he was just on another level." The Jayhawks' defense, while tested, managed to hold firm when it mattered most.

Another subplot from the BYU contest was the much-anticipated showdown between two potential No. 1 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft: BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson. While Dybantsa had a relatively quiet first half, Peterson made his presence felt, scoring 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting before leaving early in the second half due to cramps. It's been a frustrating stretch for Peterson, who has now missed 10 games this season after spraining his ankle against Colorado on January 20. Despite the setbacks, when Peterson is on the floor, the Jayhawks look like legitimate title contenders, outscoring opponents by a whopping 32.4 points per 100 possessions over the last three weeks when he's active, according to CBB Analytics.

Peterson's health remains a key storyline as Kansas eyes the postseason. As one national analyst put it, "If Peterson ever gets to the point where his injury and cramping issues are a thing of the past and he can be the most talented basketball player in the country without any 'buts,' KU is a legitimate title contender." The NCAA Tournament selection committee is sure to keep a close eye on his status as they evaluate Kansas' resume for seeding purposes.

Coach Self's tactical acumen was on display against BYU, particularly in his decision to have center Flory Bidunga guard Dybantsa. The move paid dividends, as Dybantsa was hesitant to attack early and didn't attempt a shot for the first eight minutes. Self praised Bidunga's defensive presence, noting that the freshman's ability to switch and contest shots has transformed the Jayhawks' defensive identity. In Big 12 play, Bidunga has held perimeter players to just 6-of-18 shooting inside the arc when isolated against him, with eight blocks and two forced turnovers. "After two years of trying to build a defense that hid center Hunter Dickinson and keep him off the perimeter, Self now has a switchable star at center," one analyst observed.

Offensively, Kansas continues to find new contributors. Freshman Bryson Tiller erupted for a career-high 21 points against BYU, showcasing his versatility by hitting shots from beyond the arc in the first half and attacking inside in the second. Tiller credited his teammates for trusting him and said playing to his size has been a point of emphasis from coaches. Council admitted he's been pushing Tiller to be more aggressive, sometimes teasing him to get him fired up. Self chimed in, "Sometimes it can look like Tiller gets a little lost on the court, but I didn’t see that at all against BYU." The emergence of Tiller as a reliable scoring threat adds another dimension to a Kansas offense that has already proven dangerous when at full strength.

As the Jayhawks prepare for Texas Tech, the broader college basketball landscape remains as competitive as ever. Arizona, Michigan, and Duke are among the other national powerhouses making headlines, but Kansas' blend of veteran leadership, rising freshmen, and elite coaching has them firmly in the mix for a deep March run—so long as they can stay healthy and keep building on their recent successes.

With the Big 12 standings tightening and every game carrying outsized significance, Monday night in Lubbock promises to be another test of Kansas' mettle. All eyes will be on Peterson's status, Tiller's continued growth, and whether Council and company can outduel a motivated Red Raiders squad. For now, the Jayhawks are riding high, but as anyone in college basketball knows, the next challenge is always just around the corner.