The Kansas Jayhawks will look to put a bow on an impressive non-conference season in a road matchup against the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. While UNLV has periodically been a strong program, this year isn’t one of those times. The Rebels have struggled and will be the home underdogs.
The Jayhawks, meanwhile, are once again in the running for the national championship and will remain in the top five nationally with another victory before heading into Big 12 action.
At 9 p.m. ET, tune into CBS Sports Network for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Thursday schedule.
Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kansas is 10-1 straight up and 4-5 against the spread. The Jayhawks have been favored in eight games this season and have covered in three of them. They have yet to play a true road game so that could be an obstacle to overcome.
UNLV is 6-5 straight up and also 6-5 against the spread on the year. The Rebels have played five games at home and have covered in four of those, which is a positive sign. UNLV is 1-3 against the spread as an underdog this year.
Player to Watch
Tyrell Green - UNLV will need to score a lot to hang around in this one, and could desperately use a big game from Green. He is averaging 13.3 points per game while adding 6.4 rebounds. Green has been impressive from the field, shooting 48.2 percent from the floor and 46.7 percent from three-point range.
Green has averaged 20.7 points per game over his past three and nailed 8-of-14 shots from downtown in that span. Kansas has a big talent advantage in this game but if Green can shoot well from the field it could keep the Running Rebels hanging around in this one, especially if the home crowd can get into a frenzy from it.
Key Stat
52.4. That’s the percentage Kansas is shooting from the floor. The Jayhawks have a really impressive offense, as they are averaging 88 points per game and should be able to put it on a display against a UNLV team which had trouble slowing down opponents.
The Jayhawks are led by Frank Mason III, who is averaging 20.3 points per game while adding 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds. He is shooting at an impressive clip, hitting 56 percent from the field and 52.1 percent from three-point range.
Josh Jackson is averaging 15.1 points per game, while Devonte Graham is pitching in 13.4 per contest. Kansas has eight players averaging five points per game or more, so while Mason leads the way, there are plenty of guys that have shown the ability to pitch in.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Kansas lost its season opener to Indiana but has since reeled off 10 straight wins. The Jayhawks everything needed to compete for a national title, led by a strong group of guards. Mason is an elite player and he has plenty of support.
Every time UNLV has faced off against an elite opponent, it has been blown out. The Rebels hope to turn it around at some point this season but it won’t be in this one. Even though Kansas is on the road, it should have little trouble jumping out to the lead and picking up the win.
Since the Runnin’ Rebels are at home they likely won’t get blown out, but it’s hard to foresee a scenario in which they can pull the upset. Take Kansas to capture this one but keep an eye on the spread because that’s something UNLV could cover.
College Basketball Odds: Kansas 84, UNLV 76
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