A 15-game home winning streak hangs in the balance for the No. 6-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (21-4) when they meet the Oklahoma State Cowboys (12-13). Action starts at 9:00 pm ET on Monday, Feb. 15 and will air on ESP and ES3.
The Jayhawks were victorious over Oklahoma 76-72 on Saturday. Devonte’ Graham was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points on 8-for-13 shooting. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are coming off a 58-55 win against Kansas State on Saturday. Tavarius Shine played well for Oklahoma State, posting 11 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Cowboys won the first game 86-67. Jawun Evans had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 22 points, six rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one three-pointer.
The Jayhawks come into this game 21-4 Straight Up (SU) and 15-8 Against The Spread (ATS). Kansas has some room to improve after their below-average performances recently. In the last 10 games, Kansas has only averaged 67.3 points per game compared to the 82.7 they’ve averaged on the season. Kansas’s defense can be considered one of the best in the country. The Jayhawks allow a .403 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the country.
As for their opponent, the Cowboys have 12-13 SU and 13-9-1 ATS records. Oklahoma State is one of the top foul-shooting teams in the nation, hitting .748 of their shots from the line.
With the Cowboys’ last win against Kansas, Oklahoma State moved closer to evening up its record against Kansas. It now stands at 4-6 SU over their most recent meetings. On the other hand, with a 6-4 record, Oklahoma State has the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Oklahoma State held the edge in all three of these categories once in the last five meetings. Kansas never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas
Notes
Kansas is one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 82.7 points per game (ranked 14th). Oklahoma State allows 65.9 points per game (ranked 39th).
Oklahoma State has allowed an average of 70.9 points per away game this season. Kansas averages 85.8 points per home game, ranking 13th in scoring.
Ranked 19th, the Kansas Jayhawks have an offensive rating of 116.1. The Oklahoma State Cowboys rank 115th with a defensive rating of just 100.5.
The Kansas Jayhawks average 71.2 possessions and 1.161 points per possession in games this season. The Oklahoma State Cowboys average fewer possessions with 66.0, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.045.
The Kansas Jayhawks have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking 13th in the country with an eFG% of 56.0%. When their opponents record a similar or higher eFG%, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are winless with a 0-3 record.
Kansas ranks 35th in assists, registering 16.1 per game. Oklahoma State performs worse at 253rd with 12.3 assists per game.
Kansas ranks 99th in blocks per game with 4.1 and Oklahoma State ranks 73rd with 4.4 blocks per game.
Oklahoma State ranks 226th in offensive rebounds, while Kansas ranks at 44th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Oklahoma State forces a turnover rate of 18.1%. When Kansas turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a superb 8-2 record.
