It’s been a while since the last time the Kansas Jayhawks lost. That was back in January at home against the then-No.4 Baylor Bears, who scored a 67-55 win in Lawrence. The Jayhawks have gone on an 11-game winning streak since, but can they extend that to 12 and avenge that loss to Baylor at the same time this weekend? Or will the Bears reaffirm their mastery of Kansas? Kansas and Baylor are both +900 to win the national title.
Betting on the Kansas Jayhawks (23-3 Overall / 12-1 Conference)
The Jayhawks are coming off an easy 91-71 win over the Iowa State Cyclones at home last Monday, with Devon Dotson showing once again why he’s not only one of the best players in the Big 12, but in the nation as well, by leading his team with 29 points to go with three rebounds and three steals in 24 minutes. Dotson got too much space to operate on offense in that game because of the presence of Udoka Azubuike, who commanded extra attention from Iowa State players due to his ability to throw his weight around in the shaded area. Azubuike finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and a couple of assists. However, it should be more than just a two-man game for the Jayhawks in the upcoming rematch against Baylor, which limited Dotson to nine points and Azubuike to just six in the first meeting. Hopefully for Kansas, its players would shoot better from deep this time around. The Jayhawks shot just 4 of 15 from long range in the loss to Baylor, but drained 12 triples (12-27) in the win over the Cyclones.
The Jayhawks are 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games against Baylor.
Betting on the Baylor Bears (23-1 Overall / 12-0 Conference)
The Bears added to their long list of victims this season the West Virginia Mountaineers, as they defeated Bob Huggins’ team at home last Saturday, 70-59. It was a testy game for the Bears in the early goings, but once their defense began to click, there was little the Mountaineers could do to break down Baylor and gain momentum. It was an ugly game, with both teams combining for 42 turnovers (Baylor had 20), but the Bears shot better (51.8 percent from the field). Baylor can win games like that because of its defense that’s third in the nation with just 58.4 points allowed per contest. Their defense caused so many problems for Kansas the first time out. The Bears held Dotson and Azubuike almost powerless, while the three-guard combo of Jared Butler, Macio Teague, and Davion Mitchell each scored in double figures. Kansas was also held down to only 39.2 percent shooting from the floor, which an impressive feat, considering that the Jayhawks have a top-10 offense in terms of efficiency.
The Bears are 4-2 ATS in their last six home games.
