Flory Bidunga has been putting on a show for Kansas this season, and it showed immensely against No. 1 Arizona. The 6-foot-10 sophomore has taken a big step forward for the Jayhawks in his second season with the team, already averaging almost 10 more points a game this season compared to the 2024-2025 season.
Bidunga is also known as the best shot-blocker in college basketball right now, and against No. 1 Arizona, he met what was probably going to be his best matchup. Arizona big man Motijus Krivasis is known as the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year in college basketball, but Bidunga had one play last night that should have people rethinking that award.
Right as the commentators were talking about Krivas being the favorite for the award, Bidunga had a huge dunk over top Krivas that had everyone in the building on their feet.
Fran calling Krivas the defensive player of the year while Flory dunks on his head was perfect.
— Aint No Seats Podcast (@AintNoSeatsPod) February 10, 2026
Flory is the defensive player of the year folks. He can also dunk all over your teams best defender. pic.twitter.com/p6aWT4Ll9m
Both Krivas and Bidunga put in the paint for both teams, but Bidunga might have edged out the 7-foot-2 junior. The Kansas big guy finished with a team-high 23 points, six blocks, and 10 rebounds for yet another double-double this season for the Jayhawks, while Krivas finished with just 14 points, 6 blocks, and 15 rebounds.
Bidunga is another candidate up for the Defensive Player of the Year award, and his performance against Arizona could have just vaulted him to the top. Bidunga's block late on Brayden Burries allowed Kansas to get the ball back and Krivas to get his fourth foul, sending Melvin Council Jr. to the free throw line.
Even head coach Bill Self showed his big man some love with hugs after the game, a moment that Bidunga later joked about when talking to the media, saying hugs from his head coach are not normal.
Bidunga and Kansas will now head to Ames for a weekend matchup against No. 5 Iowa State in what could be another defining game for the Jayhawks.