Game Highlights
On February 9, 2026, the Kansas Jayhawks faced off against the Arizona Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse, where Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson made a notable effort diving for a loose ball amidst a competitive game.
NBA Draft Prospects
As the NBA Draft approaches, excitement is building around several Arizona freshmen, particularly guards Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, both of whom are widely regarded as strong prospects for the first round. This week, the conversation surrounding the draft has intensified with the introduction of Motiejus Krivas, an Arizona center, now being projected as a likely late first-round pick alongside his teammates.
Draft Projections
Prominent assessments from The Athletic and Bleacher Report have highlighted Krivas, suggesting he could be selected at No. 28 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Burries is predicted to be picked at No. 10 by the Chicago Bulls and Peat at No. 11 by the San Antonio Spurs according to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie. Notably, Arizona is expected to see the highest number of players selected in the draft, surpassing all other colleges.
In a different projection from Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, Burries is forecasted to land at No. 8 with the Memphis Grizzlies, Peat at No. 16 for the Miami Heat, and Krivas at No. 29 with the Dallas Mavericks. Although it has been anticipated that Burries and Peat would depart for the NBA, the potential exit of Krivas could significantly impact Arizona’s future as they rebuild for next season.
Krivas’s Rising Stock
Although his decision isn’t completely unexpected, the rise of Krivas has captured the attention of NBA scouts due to his excellent performance as a defender in the Big 12, along with his ability to deliver consistent double-doubles and shoot free throws at an impressive 80%. Last season, Krivas was projected as a first-round pick, but a foot injury caused him to miss most of the season.
ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla recently commented that while Krivas is gaining attention for his skills, he might still benefit from another year in college, especially given that this year marked the first time he played significant minutes.
Fraschilla also noted that Krivas appears to enjoy his time in Tucson, adding that leading Arizona to a national title could influence his decision—should he shine in March, head coach Tommy Lloyd may encourage him to enter the draft sooner than expected, a scenario that many Arizona fans would welcome, even if it meant seeing him leave a year earlier than anticipated.
