The Texas Longhorns (17-12, 7-9 Big 12) will travel to Allen Fieldhouse to clash with the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks (23-6, 12-4 Big 12) in their home finale. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 138.5 points with Kansas set as a 9-point favorite. Action starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, February 26, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Texas Longhorns vs. Kansas Jayhawks ATS Preview
The Longhorns won a close one over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their last outing, 65-64. With 11 points and seven rebounds, Jericho Sims had a good performance for Texas. Texas dominated every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.232 (above their season average of 0.228) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.3 (above their season average of 29.2). Oklahoma State recorded marks of 0.190 and 29.7, respectively, for those same stats.
The last time the Jayhawks played, they beat the No. 6 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 74-72. Kansas rallied around Devonte’ Graham, who was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting. Kansas’ 0.606 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Texas Tech, who had a rate of 0.500. The Jayhawks’ mark was above their season average of 0.576.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of Kansas takes on the top-notch defense of Texas. The Jayhawks rank 15th in offensive efficiency, while the Longhorns are 48th in defensive efficiency.
Of Texas’ 25 games that accepted bets, 14 have finished under the projected point total, while 15 of Kansas’ 28 games have finished under the projected point total. The Jayhawks come into this game with a sizable advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 23-6 SU and 15-12-1 ATS, while the Longhorns are 17-12 SU and 12-13 ATS.
Malik Newman has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Kansas, averaging 13.2 points and 4.2 assists per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to put up 178 points in that game, which was well over the projected point total of 139.5. The Jayhawks won 92-86, covering as 4-point favorites. Kansas made 17 of their 35 three pointers (48.6 percent). Texas was, on the other hand, 7-25 (28.0 percent). Mohamed Bamba played a big role with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
Texas Longhorns vs. Kansas Jayhawks Free Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- 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.
- Texas is 6-7 ATS on the road, while Kansas is 8-6-1 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 9 of the Jayhawks’ 15 home games, while 7 of the Longhorns’ 13 road games have gone under.
- 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 ranks 16th in blocks per game (5.2) while Kansas ranks 115th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
- Kansas is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Texas is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Jayhawks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.0, down from 11.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Longhorns have scored an average of 66.8 points per game (4.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.8 points per game (2.4 above their season average).
