Texas at Kansas: 3/12/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
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Kansas Jayhawks (20-8) vs Texas Longhorns (18-7)
Game Info: Friday, March 12, 2021 at 9:30 pm (T-Mobile Center)
Betting Odds: Kansas Jayhawks 1 -- Over/Under: 137.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 13th ranked Texas Longhorns and 11th ranked Kansas Jayhawks will square off at the T-Mobile Center in the Semifinals of the Big 12 Championship this Friday night.
The 3-seed Texas Longhorns (18-7) advanced to the Semifinals of the Big 12 Championship after defeating the 6-seed Texas Tech Red Raiders, 67-66, on Thursday. Texas trailed by a 66-61 margin with 4:03 left in regulation, however, the Longhorns defense was great down the stretch and Texas was able to get the victory after Matt Coleman hit the go-ahead FT’s with just 1.8 seconds left in regulation. Texas shot 45.5% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc while Texas Tech shot 40.0% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc. Texas lost the turnover battle by a 20-13 margin, however, did outrebound Texas Tech by a 38-34 margin. Leading the way for the Longhorns was Matt Coleman III who had 19 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, & 2 steals.
On the season, Texas is averaging 74.6 ppg on 45.2% shooting from the field. The Longhorns are averaging 8.7 three-pointers per game on 35.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Texas has been led by Andrew Jones (14.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.0 spg), Courtney Ramey (13.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.0 spg), Matt Coleman III (12.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.3 spg), & Greg Brown (10.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg).
Defensively, Texas is allowing their opponents to average 68.1 ppg on 40.9% shooting from the field. The Longhorns have a rebound margin of 4.2 and a turnover margin of -1.6.
The 2-seed Kansas Jayhawks (20-8) advanced to the Semifinals of the Big 12 Championship after defeating the 7-seed Oklahoma Sooners, 69-62, on Thursday. Kansas was outstanding in the 1st half against the Sooners and was able to hang on late after going into halftime with a 35-15 lead. Kansas shot 46.4% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc while Oklahoma shot 46.9% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc. Kansas was outrebounded by Oklahoma by a 33-27 margin, however, won the turnover battle by a 19-12 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Jayhawks was Ochai Agbaji who had 26 points & 1 rebound.
On the season, Kansas is averaging 73.1 ppg on 44.0% shooting from the field. The Jayhawks are averaging 7.5 three-pointers per game on 34.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Kansas has been led by Ochai Agbaji (14.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg), David McCormack (13.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.0 bpg), Jalen Wilson (12.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.0 apg), & Marcus Garrett (10.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.6 spg).
Defensively, Kansas is holding their opponents to an average of 65.7 ppg on 40.6% shooting from the field. The Jayhawks have a rebound margin of 3.6 and a turnover margin 1.6.
The Longhorns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall, however, are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Friday games. The Jayhawks are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Texas was able to pick up wins in both their matchups against Kansas this season, including embarrassing Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse by an 84-59 margin, however, Kansas has been playing much better basketball as of late, winning 8 of their last 9 games. Texas picked up a nice win against Texas Tech, however, the offense did not look great and I am a bit concerned with the 20 turnovers that the Red Raiders were able to force. I expect this to be a close game, however, as I think the Kansas defense, which ranks 57th in scoring defense & 37th in defensive FG%, will give Texas trouble, I am taking the Jayhawks and the point. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Kansas Jayhawks +1
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
