The No. 2-ranked Arizona Wildcats are set to host the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks this afternoon.
This game features a slew of talented freshmen, and my Kansas vs. Arizona predictions are backing one of them to contribute on the glass.
Here are my best free college basketball picks for this Big 12 clash on Saturday, February 28.
Kansas vs Arizona prediction
Kansas vs Arizona best bet: Ivan Kharchenkov Over 5.5 rebounds (-135)
Plenty of freshmen have been balling out across the country, which has allowed Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg) to fly under the radar.
He may not score at the same clip as some of the other freshman stars, but the 6-foot-7 forward is a strong defender, rebounder, and passer. Kharchenkov has hauled in 6+ boards in five of his last six games — including the previous matchup with the Kansas Jayhawks.
Kansas has struggled on the glass, ranking 248th nationally in offensive rebounding rate and sitting outside the Top 150 in defensive rebounding rate.
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Kansas vs Arizona same-game parlay
Koa Peat returns to Arizona’s lineup for the first time since suffering an injury on February 14. Before going down, Peat had dished out at least two assists in 11 of his previous 13 contests.
Meanwhile, freshman guard Brayden Burries is averaging 17.3 points per game over his last 20 contests, including a 25-point effort on 9-of-18 shooting in Arizona’s loss at the Phog on February 9.
That defeat in Lawrence sets up a revenge spot for Arizona, while this could also be a letdown situation for Kansas after its upset win over Houston.
I’m hesitant to lay 10 points with the Wildcats, but I’ll confidently back them in the first half and on the full-game moneyline.
Kansas vs Arizona SGP
- Ivan Kharchenkov Over 5.5 rebounds
- Koa Peat Over 1.5 assists
- Brayden Burries Over 16.5 points
- Arizona 1H moneyline
- Arizona moneyline
Our beyond the arc SGP: Freshmen Feast
Kharchenkov, Peat, and Burries aren't even the best freshman in this game with Kansas led by projected first pick overall Darryn Peterson. The high-scoring guard averages 19.5 points in just 27.4 minutes per game.
Peterson was heavily criticized for missing the previous clash against Arizona due to an illness and he'll be eager to make an impact after logging 30+ minutes in his last two contests.
Kansas vs Arizona SGP
- Ivan Kharchenkov Over 5.5 rebounds
- Koa Peat Over 1.5 assists
- Brayden Burries Over 16.5 points
- Darryn Peterson Over 17.5 points
Kansas vs Arizona odds
- Spread: Kansas +10 (-110) | Arizona -10 (-110)
- Moneyline: Kansas +400 | Arizona -550
- Over/Under: Over 150 (-110) | Under 150 (-110)
Kansas vs Arizona betting trend to know
The Under has cashed in Arizona's last five games at home. Find more college basketball betting trends for Kansas vs. Arizona.
How to watch Kansas vs Arizona
| Location | McKale Memorial Center, Tucson, AZ |
| Date | Saturday, February 28, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Kansas vs Arizona key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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