Eye On College Basketball – CBS Sports

Episode Title: No DP? NP. Kansas Ends Arizona’s Undefeated Season; February Refresh on Top NCAA Title Contenders, NPOY Race, and Overrated/Underrated Teams
Date: February 10, 2026
Hosts: Gary Parrish & Matt Norlander

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the fallout from Kansas' thrilling 82-78 win over top-ranked (and previously undefeated) Arizona, discusses the drama surrounding Kansas' star Darren Peterson, reevaluates the top NCAA title contenders and the National Player of the Year race as college basketball takes center stage post-Super Bowl, and debates which teams are overrated or underrated by AP voters.

The tone is conversational, analytical, and filled with humor and inside college basketball references. Both hosts bring stats, coaching insight, and a touch of irreverence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Kansas-Knocks-Off-Arizona: The Allen Fieldhouse Factor

Timestamps: 02:07–15:19

• Kansas, without presumed #1 NBA pick Darren Peterson, upset #1 Arizona in a classic Allen Fieldhouse environment.
• Matt Norlander: "That environment pulsing through the TV screen here in my office last night... Everything about it—about as good as it gets." (03:04)
  • Norlander highlights the building's impact and how Kansas overcame Peterson’s absence thanks to breakout performances from Flory Badunga (double-double), Melvin Council Jr. (despite poor shooting), and others.
• Gary Parrish: "He [Bill Self] even said multiple times last night, like, we didn’t play well, but what a win. And he did say, I think the quote was this place won the game tonight. Allen Fieldhouse won this game tonight." (05:48)
  • The win serves as a momentum-builder for Kansas moving into March, especially given the adversity they've faced.
• The Kansas fan base is embracing this team—particularly Melvin Council Jr.—despite continued drama around Peterson.
  • Parrish regards Council Jr. as exemplifying buy-in in the transfer portal era: "He has immersed himself in that campus... That logo means something to him." (07:12)

Arizona: The End of Perfection and What’s Next

Timestamps: 08:22–10:50

• Norlander debates whether a loss releases pressure or matters at all to Arizona’s title hopes: "I honestly think it depends on the team... If Arizona had won this game and...went undefeated—I’m not convinced that would’ve been a bad thing." (08:22)
• The loss highlighted a few Arizona flaws: inefficiency in crunch time and minimal three-point shooting.
• Key Stat: Arizona attempted only 26.5% of their shots from three, ranking nearly last (363rd/365) in Division I. (18:20)

Darren Peterson Drama: Availability in Question

Timestamps: 10:50–15:19

• Peterson was a last-minute scratch with “flu-like symptoms” despite warming up pregame. This follows a season filled with absences for curious reasons.
• Norlander: "There’s never been a player that is so preternaturally talented that has been less available for more reasons..." (12:11)
• Parrish, on the optics: "If my reputation were in the place where his is now...I'd like to think at least I’d walk up to my coach at some point and say, coach, I have the flu. I feel terrible, but put me in the starting lineup, I got to give it a go because I need the world to see me look sick as opposed to just hear that I am sick." (13:48)
• Both hosts agree: Until Peterson demonstrates consistent availability, his top pick status is in jeopardy.

Refresh on NCAA Title Contenders

Timestamps: 16:39–23:36

• Parrish throws out the betting favorites: Michigan, Arizona, Duke.
  • Michigan (22–1): #1 in NET and KenPom, dominant defense, deep rotation led by Yaxel Lindenborg. (18:20)
  • Arizona (23–1): Great D, but almost bottom of D-I in three-point attempts.
  • Duke (21–2): Cameron Boozer is National Player of the Year frontrunner; team is top 10 in both offensive/defensive efficiency.
    • Norlander: "The question for me with Duke is, is it really going to be relying on Boozer way more often than not? ...Who's going to be the other guy?" (20:09)

Who Else Can Win It?

Timestamps: 23:36–29:06

Both hosts pick three teams each (excluding top three):

• Norlander’s List:
  • UConn: Only two losses, elite defense, key talents like Alex Karaban and Silas Demery Jr. (23:36)
  • Iowa State: Joshua Jefferson is an All-American, team is balanced with a sharp-shooting Milan Momcilovich.
  • Florida: Peaking late, great front court, playing top-level D.
• Parrish’s List:
  • Houston: Outstanding the last month; Kingston Flemings is a star.
  • Illinois: Only one loss since December 13; freshman Keaton Wagler a revelation.
  • Kansas: Eight-game win streak, getting it done despite Peterson drama; won’t count them out with Self and (hopefully) Peterson in March.

Notable Quote:

• Parrish: "I don’t know that there will ever be a point in the season where I watch Kansas play and I go that’s the best team in the country...But ...when you have arguably the best coach and arguably the best player…that’s a pretty good position to be in." (28:06)

Dark Horses Not Yet Mentioned

Timestamps: 29:06–31:37

• Teams discussed: Purdue, Michigan State, Gonzaga, Virginia, Texas Tech, St. John's, Louisville.
• Norlander likes Michigan State as a potential “10th” contender thanks to Jeremy Fears Jr.
• Parrish lists St. John’s and Louisville as possible deep run teams.
• Both agree: This year is deep—leadership at PG in this class is remarkable.

Overrated & Underrated Teams According to AP Voters

Timestamps: 31:37–38:10

Overrated Teams

• Parrish: Georgia—receiving votes despite poor computer rankings and resume. "No data to support it whatsoever..." (34:05)
• Norlander: BYU—ranked 22nd AP, but lost 5 of 6, on a downward trend, propped up by reputation. (35:17)

Underrated Teams

• Parrish: UConn—ranked 6th in AP, but top 3-4 everywhere else; would have them as a 1 seed if tournament started today. (37:30)
• Norlander: Florida—#14 in AP, but believes they’re top 10. Also St. Louis—"Has the best margin of victory average in college basketball...I really might have the capacity to make a Final Four run..." (38:10)

National Player of the Year (NPOY) Race Update

Timestamps: 38:51–43:33

Leaders:

1. Cameron Boozer, Duke (23.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 57.6% FG, 38% 3PT) – "Feels like Boozer is further ahead than at any other point in the season." (39:47)
2. Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State (17.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.1 APG, 50% FG, 41% 3PT)
3. Kingston Flemings, Houston (17 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 52% FG)

4–5. Debonsa (BYU), Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State) also in the mix.

Analysis:

• Boozer is seen as the odds-on favorite, with little sign anyone will catch him unless Duke falters, but the field is loaded this year.
• Parrish: "To circle back...I don't think anybody's going to catch Cameron Boozer. ...he's going to have the trophy because he's going to be the best player on one of the best teams..." (41:04)
• Notably, the presumed top NBA pick (Darren Peterson) isn’t a factor simply for being unavailable so often: "the most talented player in the country... missed too many games." (43:33)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Bill Self’s Reaction: "Allen Fieldhouse won this game tonight." (05:48, via Parrish)
• Transfer Era Insight: "Melvin Council is perhaps an example...that the logo means something to him." (07:12, via Parrish)
• On Peterson Absence: Norlander: "Never been a player so preternaturally talented that has been less available for more reasons..." (12:11)
• AP Poll Attack: "There is no way to defend Georgia being 23rd on a top 25 ballot right now..." (34:05, via Parrish)
• NPOY Depth: "You are leaving awesome players off of it no matter how you do it." (41:04, via Parrish)

Segment Timestamps Quick Guide

• Open, Kansas-Arizona Recap: 02:07–15:19
• Arizona Post-Loss, Peterson Drama: 08:22–15:19
• Title Contender Refresh: 16:39–23:36
• Outside Favorites, Dark Horses: 23:36–31:37
• Overrated/Underrated Teams: 31:37–38:10
• National Player of the Year Race: 38:51–43:33

Summary Takeaways

• Kansas’ signature win sans Peterson is a March-morale booster and could be a season-defining moment for Bill Self.
• Arizona’s unique statistical profile (almost no threes) could be their Achilles heel, but they remain a top threat.
• Darren Peterson’s availability (or lack thereof) is casting a shadow over his NBA draft stock.
• Michigan, Arizona, and Duke are the clear betting favorites, but UConn, Iowa State, Florida, Houston, Illinois, and Kansas are right there.
• This is a historically deep Player of the Year race, even if Boozer is the current runaway favorite—the field is stacked.
• AP voters continue controversial ranking decisions, with Georgia and BYU called out, UConn and Florida considered undervalued.

For fans reconnecting after football or those tuning in to the national hoops conversation, this episode delivers a sharp, detailed, and entertaining state-of-the-sport update as February begins to heat up.