For Arizona to remain No. 1, it will take a victory Saturday at Kansas.
After the Wildcats routed Arizona State, probably the Pac-10’s most improved team, on Wednesday night, it set up Arizona’s trip to Lawrence for a No. 1-vs.-No. 6 clash.
Kansas — ranked as high as No. 2 before three early losses — has practically been an adjunct member of the Pac-10, with Arizona the fourth conference team the Jayhawks have played.
Kansas lost to Oregon, 84-78; beat UCLA, 87-70; and beat Cal, 80-67.
“It’s going to be a heck of a basketball game,” Oregon coach Ernie Kent said.
UCLA Coach Steve Lavin gives Arizona an edge in depth but Kansas an advantage on the front line and on its homecourt.
Depth is often cited as the Jayhawks’ weakness, but Kent pointed out the Jayhawks are used to playing that way, and Cal coach Ben Braun said his team’s attempts to take advantage of Kansas lack of depth were unsuccessful.
Kansas had survived nicely without injured forward Wayne Simien before Wednesday’s 60-59 loss at Colorado.
Duke will retire Williams’ jersey Feb. 5, the night the Blue Devils play host to rival North Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium. He will be the 11th Blue Devil player to have his jersey retired, the most recent being Shane Battier two years ago.
Williams was a two-time All-American during his three-year career at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to the 2001 NCAA title and winning national player of the year honors the next season.
Williams earned his sociology degree in three years and entered the NBA Draft. He was the No. 2 pick in the draft and plays for the Chicago Bulls.
