The 17th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (23-8, 12-6 Big 12) will be 2.5-point favorites in the Big 12 Conference Tourney at Sprint Center when they take on the Texas Longhorns (16-15, 8-10 Big 12). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 137.5 points and it will air on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
Texas Longhorns vs. Kansas Jayhawks Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last outing. The Jayhawks (8.5-point favorites) defeated the Baylor Bears, 78-70, while the Longhorns (7-point favorites) were defeated by the TCU Horned Frogs, 69-56. The Kansas game went 8 points over the projected point total of 140, while the Texas game finished 13 points under the projected point total of 138.
Kansas played a nearly perfect contest. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.339 (above their season average of 0.230) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.492 (below their season average of 0.529). For those same stats, Baylor was 0.239 and 0.403, respectively. Texas, on the other hand, forced TCU into a turnover percentage of 21.8 (above their season average of 16.6). Kansas’ Dedric Lawson led the way, contributing 23 points and 14 rebounds. Jaxson Hayes played a pivotal role for Texas with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Of the Longhorns’ 31 games, 18 have gone under the total. Texas holds records of 16-15 straight up (SU) and 15-16 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Texas, games involving the Jayhawks have typically gone over the O/U total (61.3 percent). Kansas is 23-8 SU, but they are just 12-18-1 ATS.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Kansas should have a substantial edge. The Jayhawks defense ranks 51st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.477), while the Texas offense is ranked 181st in effective field goal percentage (0.509). Furthermore, the Longhorns rank 259th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.213), while the Jayhawks rank 36th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.188).
Texas vs. Kansas Betting Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Texas averages 25.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 71st in the nation. Kansas ranks 272nd in three pointers allowed per game (25.7).
- The Jayhawks average 37.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 56th in the nation. The Longhorns rank 128th in rebounds allowed per game (34.4).
- Texas ranks 53rd in blocks per game (4.1) while Kansas ranks 122nd in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- The Longhorns rank 49th in assists allowed per game (11.4) while the Jayhawks rank 156th (13.2).
- Texas ranks 35th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while Kansas ranks 127th (6.4).
Bettings Trends:
- The Longhorns are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Jayhawks are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Texas has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Kansas has 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Longhorns have been outscored by an average of 3.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Texas has defeated opponents by an average of 4.1 points.
- During their last five games, the Jayhawks have scored an average of 68.8 points per game (6.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.6 points per game (1.5 above their season average).
