It’s a battle of the blue bloods in Lexington this weekend, as the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks take their talents to Rupp Arena to face No. 24 Kentucky Wildcats. Both teams are coming off wins against ranked teams, but who will come out on top in his intriguing Big 12-SEC matchup?
The Jayhawks are +2,200 to win the national title, while the Wildcats are +1,600 to do the same.
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Betting Preview for the Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kentucky Wildcats College Basketball Game on January 26, 2019
Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington
When: Saturday, January 26, 2019, 6:00 PM ET
Line: Kansas Jayhawks (odds) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Kansas Jayhawks (16-3 Overall / 5-2 Conference)
It did not take No. 9 Kansas to rebound from its loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers on the road last week, as the Jayhawks picked up an 80-76 win right in their very next outing, a rematch with the No. 24 Iowa State Cyclones in Lawrence last Monday. Kansas’ offense came back to life in the Iowa State game after shooting just 43.6 percent from against West Virginia, as they went 33-for-64 from the field in Morgantown. They also reduced their turnovers from 18 against West Virginia to only 11 against the Cyclones. Junior forward Dedric Lawson has upped his performance of late, as he is averaging 21.8 points in the last five games, which includes his 29-point explosion against Iowa State and a 31-point eruption in a home win over No. 25 TCU on Jan. 9.
Kansas, which is 60th in the nation with 78.1 points per game, is 3-0 straight up (SU) and 2-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last three meetings with the Wildcats.
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (15-3 Overall / 5-1 Conference)
Kentucky is roaring. After getting upset by the Alabama Crimson Tide on the road back on Jan. 5, the Wildcats have stitched together five-straight victories, including back-to-back wins over ranked opponents in the No. 14 Auburn Tigers on the road (82-80) and the No. 22 Mississippi State Bulldogs at home (76-55), respectively. Kentucky made the Bulldogs bleed for their points. Mississippi State managed to convert just 31.1 percent of its shots from the field and went just 3-for-20 from deep. When they take force the issue inside, the Bulldogs were swallowed by Kentucky’s defense that recorded eight blocks, half of which were from sophomore forward PJ Washington. Kentucky owns a stout interior defense that produces an average of 5.2 blocks per game and limits opponents to only 45.5 percent shooting from inside the arc. Kentucky’s backcourt could also cancel out that same strength by Kansas. Guards Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro have been key to Kentucky, Johnson paces the team with 14.6 points per game, while Herro is right behind him with 13.7.
Kentucky is 4-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last six home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Kentucky wins, 81-76
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