The Kansas Jayhawks are flying high at the moment, coming off of back-to-back wins over ranked opponents (BYU and Texas Tech) and riding a 6-game win streak in Big 12 play. A massive reason for KU’s success both during this stretch, as well as throughout the season as a whole, is their center, Flory Bidunga, and his masterful defensive impact this year.
Following the Jayhawks' win over Texas Tech, led by Bidunga on the defensive end and Darryn Peterson on the offensive end, Bill Self had some high praise for the 6’9” sophomore big man. KU’s coach proclaimed that “Bidunga is the best defender in America” when recapping why Kansas was able to hold TTU in check and ultimately win the game.
There’s merit and stats to back up Coach Self’s claim as well. Bidunga had 2 blocks against TTU (and altered many more shots), bringing his total up to 17 games with multiple blocks this year. Even more impressively, he has 7 games with 4+ blocks and is averaging an insane 2.67 blocks per game:
Kansas #Jayhawks’ Flory Bidunga is now up to 17 games this season with 2+ blocks.
— Tyler Key (@TylerRobertKey) February 3, 2026
He has 7 games this season with 4+ blocks.
His 2.67 BPG is good for 5th in the entire nation and he’s doing it in the toughest conference in the NCAA. Elite rim protector.#KUBball #RockChalk 🏀 pic.twitter.com/zPL1TtdMme
At the conclusion of the game on Monday night, this ranked Bidunga 5th in the entire nation in blocks per game, just ahead of Michigan’s 7’4” center, Aday Mara, despite Bidunga being 7 inches shorter.
Why Bidunga doing this in the Big 12 is even more impressive
Bidunga recording these blocking stats in the Big 12 is an even bigger feat as well, as it is arguably the best conference in the nation and has at least 6 teams projected to be #4 seeds or better, according to Joe Lunardi. While KU has not yet faced off with Houston or Arizona, the brick wall that is Bidunga was elite against the 3 ranked Big 12 teams he has faced.
Against Iowa State, he recorded an insane stat line of 4 blocks and 2 steals. Then, against BYU and Texas Tech, he swatted 2 shots in each game. Even in Kansas’ disappointing Big 12 losses at WVU and at UCF, Bidunga recorded 4 blocks in each contest, clearly proving that he was not the reason for the defeats.
Flory’s 58 total blocks lead the Big 12 conference by a mile, and he is currently just 3 swatted shots away from being tied for 3rd in the nation for total blocks. Facing off against a mediocre Utah Utes team on Saturday, there is definitely a world where Bidunga adds 3, 4, or even 5 blocks in Allen Fieldhouse next game.
After the Utah game, Bidugna and Co. will have their toughest two-game stretch of the entire season, welcoming the current No. 1 Arizona Wildcats to Lawrence, followed by visiting Iowa State, a team they beat up on earlier in the season, and who will be hungry for revenge. Luckily, with Bidunga and Peterson playing this well, the sky is the limit for Kansas at the moment.
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