Despite their record, the Texas Longhorns have been far from a pushover in Big 12 play. They get another crack at a ranked team this week and hope this is finally the time they don’t just remain competitive but come away with a shocking upset.
The Longhorns will travel to face off against the Kansas Jayhawks. Texas has had a poor season but almost knocked off No. 10 West Virginia a few games ago. The Jayhawks are at home and would much prefer to cruise to the win against an inferior opponent.
At 2 p.m. ET, tune into CBS for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Saturday schedule.
Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kansas is 17-1 straight up but only 6-10 against the spread as the team is so good it is often favored by double digits. The Jayhawks have played seven home games this season and have only covered two of them. They are just 5-10 against the spread as the favorite and that will be the case again in this one.
Texas is 7-11 straight up but has fared better against the spread at 10-7. The Longhorns have played four true road games on the season and have covered in all of them. Texas has gone 6-2 against the spread as the underdog, and the way these teams have done against the spread this season must be considered.
Key Stat
17. That’s the number of wins in a row for the blazing hot Jayhawks, who lost their opener to Indiana but have since been flawless. Kansas is 6-0 in conference play and is again the favorite there. The two teams that figure to give them the toughest time are Baylor and West Virginia
Kansas averages 85.8 points per game, which is one of the better marks in the Big 12. The Jayhawks are led by Frank Mason III, who is averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Mason is shooting 52.4 percent from the field and a sparkling 53.2 percent from three-point range.
Josh Jackson and Devonte’ Graham are a pair of other key cogs. Kansas has ascended back up to No. 2 in the country because of its long winning streak and will aim to keep it rolling in this one.
Letdown Situation
Kansas has its toughest three-game stretch of the season right around the corner. The Jayhawks will play at No. 7 West Virginia, at No. 5 Kentucky and then host No. 6 Baylor in three games that will really tell a lot about this group.
Kansas must first play this home game against Texas, but it be only natural to look past the Longhorns a bit based on their record and the location of this matchup.
Texas has played West Virginia and Baylor relatively tough, and a down game by Kansas could keep this one close.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Texas has lost six of its past seven games to fall near the bottom of the conference standings but is not getting destroyed. Most of the losses have been close, which is something to consider when this game has a spread assigned to it.
The Longhorns hope to remain competitive behind the play if Tevin Mack, who leads the way with averages of 14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest. Jarrett Allen is another key cog, adding 11.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest.
Kansas is clearly the better team, but Texas is good enough to stay within striking distance until late and come away with the cover. Even though the Jayhawks have been very good straight up, they have struggled against the spread and that theme will continue here.
College Basketball Odds: Kansas 77, Texas 68
BookMaker.eu offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu!
