Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kentucky Wildcats Preview
Where: Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY
When: Saturday, January 28, 2017 – 6:15 PM ET
Line: Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kentucky Wildcats – view all NCAAB lines
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Betting on the Kansas Jayhawks (18-2, 7-1 Big 12)
Tuesday’s 85-69 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers was a huge hit. Not only did it snap the Jayhawks’ 18-game winning streak, it will also pull down their spot in the rankings.
It just wasn’t their night. The offense wasn’t able to fully click for the whole game and they also couldn’t do anything effective on the defensive side. Going scoreless for three minutes during the crucial moments of the second half killed them too, as it allowed the Mountaineers to regain the lost momentum and pull away.
As they try to piece together another string of victories, Frank Mason (19.9 PPG), Josh Jackson (15.5 PPG), and Devonte Graham (13.7 PPG) should again lead them there. They are capable of guiding Kansas deep in the postseason, they just have to receive better support from the other guys, particularly the suspect bench. The trio was pretty much alone in the recent defeat, as they owned 54 of the team’s 69 points.
Despite displaying a flat offense in their recent outing, consider it the biggest strength of the Jayhawks. They are 17th in scoring (84.6 PPG) and fifth in nation in offensive efficiency.
They aren’t pushovers on defense as well, they are at the respectable 39th spot in the defensive efficiency rankings, and have held 10 of their 20 opponents this season to under 41-percent shooting. Additionally, they also have six games this year where they either recorded 10-plus steals or 10-plus blocks.
Kansas is 5-1 on the road this season (2-4 ATS).
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (17-3, 7-1 SEC)
Kentucky was another top 10 team that bowed to their underdog opponents on that fateful Tuesday schedule, as they were shocked by the unranked Tennessee Volunteers, 82-80. Like Kansas, it halted a winning streak and will likely bring them a couple of places down in the rankings.
The roles seem to be reversed as head coach John Calipari and his boys are the ones that got jumped and playing catch up for the entire contest. Their offense was very tepid and couldn’t create any decent rhythm, collectively finishing with a mediocre 41.7 shooting clip – which is interesting since it’s the exact percentage they are allowing on defense.
The good thing, however, is they will immediately be in a good position to get back in the win column, with Friday’s game being in front of their home crowd at Rupp Arena, where they are 12-1 on the season (9-4 ATS).
We should see an aggressive Malik Monk (21.9 PPG), Isaiah Briscoe (14.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.3 APG), Edrice Adebayo (13.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG), and De’Aaron Fox (16.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.9 APG) right from the tip. This will be one of the biggest games of the regular season and they are coming off an embarrassing loss. Expect those four guys to try outmatch Kansas’s energy, who are in a similar position.
On offense, the Wildcats will be parading averages of 92.3 points (2nd overall) on 49.6 percent shooting (13th overall). Their D, meanwhile, is good at frustrating the other team and making them have poor decisions, as they have caused 11 of their opponents this season to record 15 or more turnovers.
Kenpom.com has Kentucky rated second in offense and 15th in defense (fifth among ranked teams).
Writer’s Prediction:
Kansas wins in a classic battle, 89-86.
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