The Stanford Cardinal (6-6) clash with the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks (9-2) at Golden 1 Center. The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 12 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017.
Kansas opened as a 15.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 148 points.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Stanford Cardinal ATS Prediction
In the Jayhawks’ last outing, they blew out the Omaha Mavericks, 109-64. Kansas’ 40.7 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over Omaha, who had a mark of 20.8. The Jayhawks’ mark was above their season average of 29.6, while the Mavericks’ was below their season average of 28.5. Kansas was lifted by Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, who was the game’s high scorer with 26 points on 10-for-13 shooting.
The Cardinal beat the San Francisco Dons in their last contest, 71-59. Stanford’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over San Francisco. The Cardinal had a rate of 0.570 (above their season average of 0.516), while the Dons posted a mark of 0.339 (below their season average of 0.476). Reid Travis was the top scorer from either team with 29 points on 11-for-18 shooting.
A focal point for the Stanford offense is getting to the free throw line. The Cardinal rank 12th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.328), but Kansas is among the best in the nation at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 24th by yielding a FTA rate of 0.171). Also, the Jayhawks rank 38th in turnover percentage (16.7 percent), while the Cardinal rank 305th in opponents’ turnover percentage (17.1 percent).
Kansas holds records of 9-2 straight up (SU) and 6-4 against the spread (ATS). Jayhawks games have a tendency to go under the projected point total (60.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Stanford is 6-6 SU and 3-8-1 ATS. Games involving the Cardinal also tend to go under the total (66.7 percent).
After the Jayhawks won the lone game against the Cardinal last season, 89-74, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Kansas had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.613 vs. 0.440). Stanford, meanwhile, did a terrific job of converting from the free throw line (30-37; 81.1 percent).
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Stanford Cardinal Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Kansas ranks 36th in three pointers attempted per game (26.6) while Stanford ranks 235th (18.4).
The Jayhawks rank third in assists per game (20.5) while the Cardinal rank 164th (13.1).
Kansas ranks 42nd in steals per game (8.0) while Stanford ranks 157th (5.5).
The Jayhawks rank 45th in blocks per game (4.8) while the Cardinal rank 119th (3.3).
Kansas ranks 57th in rebounds per game (39.1) while Stanford ranks 69th in rebounds allowed per game (32.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Kansas is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Stanford is 2-2-1 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Jayhawks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.6, down from 21.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cardinal have scored an average of 72.4 points per game (2.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.6 points per game (6.5 below their season average).
