Cincinnati (10-4) vs Kansas (11-3)
Game Info: Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 2:00 pm (Fifth Third Arena)
Betting Odds: Cincinnati +1 -- Over/Under: 135 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+
The Kansas Jayhawks and the Cincinnati Bearcats meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Fifth Third Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Kansas vs. Cincinnati prediction.
Kansas Recap
The Kansas Jayhawks come into this game looking to build on a 74-55 win over Arizona State last time out to improve to 11-3 on the year. After this game, Kansas will continue on the road to take on Iowa State.
Jayhawks Win Back-To-Back Games
Hunter Dickinson leads the Jayhawks in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double per game with 15.9 PPG and 10.4 RPG along with 2.4 APG while Zeke Mayo has 14.6 PPG with 4.1 RPG and 3.3 APG as well on the year. Dajuan Harris has 10.3 PPG with 2.3 RPG and a team-high 5.6 APG to lead the Jayhawks in assists and cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Kansas up to this point in the year. KJ Adams Jr. also has 8.5 PPG with 4.4 RPG and 2.2 APG as well for Kansas this season. As a team, Kansas is averaging 78.9 PPG on 48.8% shooting from the field, 34.8% from three, and 75.1% from the foul line this season.
Why the Kansas Jayhawks will win
- Cincinnati has lost 10 of its last 11 day games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Kansas has won 28 of its last 32 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Cincinnati Recap
The Cincinnati Bearcats come into this game looking to bounce back after their 68-48 loss to Baylor last time out to drop to 10-4 on the year. After this game, the Bearcats will head out on the road for a matchup with the Colorado Buffaloes.
Bearcats Lose 3rd Straight
Simas Lukosius leads the Bearcats in scoring with 13.1 PPG along with 3.2 RPG and 3.1 APG and Jizzle James has 11.1 PPG with 3.9 RPG and a team-high 4.7 APG to lead the Bearcats in the assist department. Dillon Mitchell has 10.9 PPG with a team-high 7.3 RPG to lead the Bearcats on the glass and Dan Skillings Jr. has 13.1 PPG with 4.4 RPG and 2 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Cincinnati so far this season. Aziz Bandaogo has 9.4 PPG with 5.7 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Cincinnati is averaging 75.4 PPG on 47% shooting from the field, 34.5% from three, and 62.8% from the foul line this season.
Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win
- Cincinnati has won 11 of its last 12 games at Fifth Third Arena.
- Kansas has lost six of its last eight road games against the Big 12 Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Cincinnati's last six games against AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 129 or fewer points.
- Twenty-eight of Kansas' last 33 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 136+ points.
Kansas vs. Cincinnati Prediction
I’m with Kansas here. I get that this line looks funky with it being so short as Cincinnati’s lost three straight but I think Kansas’ issues on the road this year, going just 1-2 SU might have factored into that a bit. The reality for Cincinnati is that they’ve been unable to take the step up in class and beat the good teams on their schedule as Cincinnati doesn’t have a top-50 win right now. This could be a spot for them at home to wake up but until I see it, I’m not buying it. Kansas is still an elite program, and I think the Jayhawks can take down Cincinnati in their own gym and get the win and cover here. Give me KU.
Chris’s Pick Kansas -1
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
