In their final home game of the season, the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks (23-6, 12-4 Big 12) host the Texas Longhorns (17-12, 7-9 Big 12) at Allen Fieldhouse. The game can be seen on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, February 26, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 138.5 points with Kansas opening as a 9-point favorite.
Texas Longhorns at Kansas Jayhawks ATS Prediction
The Longhorns come in on a high note after narrowly defeating the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their last game, 65-64. The Longhorns had a better free throw rate (0.232 vs. 0.190) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.3 (above their season average of 29.2). Jericho Sims had a good outing for Texas, contributing 11 points and seven rebounds.
In the Jayhawks’ last matchup, they barely escaped the No. 6 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 74-72. Kansas made 11 of their 25 three pointers (44.0 percent). Texas Tech, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 40.5 (above their season average of 33.2). Devonte’ Graham was the game’s high scorer with 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Kansas ranks 15th in offensive efficiency and Texas ranks 48th in defensive efficiency.
Texas comes into the game with records of 17-12 straight up (SU) and 12-13 against the spread (ATS). Of the Longhorns’ 25 games with betting action, 14 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Kansas is 23-6 SU and 15-12-1 ATS. A little over half of Jayhawks games have also finished under the total.
Malik Newman has averaged 13.2 points and 4.2 assists over the last five games for Kansas.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Mohamed Bamba put up 22 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks in the first game, in which the Longhorns lost 92-86, unable to cover as 4-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 178 points, which was 38.5 points above the projected point total of 139.5 points. Kansas made 17 of its 35 three pointers (48.6 percent). Texas, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (40.9 vs. 31.6).
Texas Longhorns at Kansas Jayhawks Odds Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Texas is 6-7 ATS with 7 unders and 6 overs.
At home, Kansas is 8-6-1 ATS with 9 overs and 6 unders.
Kansas ranks 13th in assists per game (17.0) while Texas ranks 248th (11.4).
The Longhorns rank 116th in three pointers allowed per game (21.1) while the Jayhawks rank 233rd (23.9).
Texas averages 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks 16th in the NCAA. Kansas ranks 115th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
The Longhorns rank 110th in rebounds per game (36.3) while the Jayhawks rank 175th in rebounds allowed per game (35.6).
Kansas is 49th in the NCAA with 5.4 steals allowed per game while Texas is 54th with 5.4 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Texas is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Kansas is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Longhorns have been outscored by an average of 3.0 points in their last five games. On the season, Texas has defeated opponents by an average of 4.1 points.
During their last five games, the Jayhawks have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (1.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.4 points per game (3.5 above their season average).
