Flory Bidunga has established himself as one of the best big men in the country.
While for a majority of the season, head coach and teammates alike were constantly labeling the sophomore as “the best defender in the nation,” now the rest of the country is beginning to find the same tune.
Yet, his steel was bound to be tested when Kansas was to play host to the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats on Monday, in what saw Bidunga have to fight on the rim against 7-foot-2 Motiejus
Krivas, prized sixth-man, Tobe Awaka, and potential top-15 pick Koa Peat.
To emphasize Arizona’s inside the arc preference, the Wildcats currently rank third in the nation with 58.6% of their points being two-pointers.
Through the first half, it was clear to see that Bidunga wasn’t getting dominated by Krivas and Co., but the forward wasn’t able to wreak havoc to his usual extent.
Bidunga finished the first period with seven points on a 2-4 mark from the field, with two rebounds, one turnover, and two blocks.
A much-improved second half
Yet, in between the breaks, Bidunga flipped a switch that allowed him to dominate the final 20 minutes of the 82-78 upset, with 16 points at a 6-7 rate from the field, eight rebounds, one block, and one steal. His last block zipped up the game as his last gasp reached for the ball prevented leading Arizona scorer, Brayden Burries, from bringing the score to just one, and instead, ensured Bill Self’s first-ever win over an AP No. 1 inside Allen Fieldhouse.
Iron sharpens iron
Following Bidunga’s big-time showout, transfer guard Melvin Council Jr. was asked how he felt Bidunga dealt with the usual paint dominance that Arizona typically exudes.
“I see him battle Paul [Mbiya] every day. Like, it was just like a Paul and Flory matchup, and I see that every day, so I wasn't worried about Flo.”
Mbiya is a true freshman who committed to NC State in May 2025; however, the 7-foot-0 center decommitted from the Wolfpack in mid-June, before committing to the Jayhawks on June 25th.
Mbiya has played a bit-part role for Kansas having only played in 14 games this season, for no more than 11 minutes, however, even he made a big impact through the final two minutes of the first half against Arizona, where he had to fill in for Bidunga who was being kept out until the second half, where he compiled one block and one foul.
While Mbiya will likely continue to fill in during the rare moments he is needed, he can look to Bidunga in front of him as to where he can be next season.
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