Kentucky vs. Kansas Prediction: Trust the Jayhawks to Roll

Kentucky vs. Kansas Prediction: Trust the Jayhawks to Roll

The ninth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks hit the road to take on un-ranked Kentucky in the Big 12/SEC challenge in Lexington, Kentucky. Kansas enters this game ice-cold and needs this non-conference win to regain momentum. On the other side, Kentucky is getting hot and has won four games in a row against Tennessee, Georgia, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt. The books have un-ranked Kentucky as a slight 2.5-point favorite. Can they knock off the ranked Jayhawks?

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Kentucky vs. Kansas Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: Saturday, January 28, 2023
• Start Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
• Where to Watch: ESPN

Kentucky vs. Kansas Odds

• Spread: Kentucky -2.5 (-110), Kansas +2.5 (-110)
• Total: Over 140 (-110), Under 140 (-105)
• Moneyline: Kentucky (-135), Kansas (+120)

Click here for Kentucky vs. Kansas odds

Kentucky vs. Kansas Prediction

The Jayhawks are coming off a three-game losing streak and will look to get back on track with a win over the Wildcats. Kansas is averaging 75.9 points per game and will need to improve offensively after scoring just 69 points in their last game. Grady Dick led the team in scoring with 24 points, while Jalen Wilson added 23 points, and Kevin McCullar Jr. had 14 points. The Jayhawks have been solid defensively, giving up an average of 67.5 points per game. However, they gave up 75 points in their last game and will need to be better if they want to win this one.

The Wildcats come into this game against the Jayhawks on a four-game winning streak and will be looking to extend that to five with a win. Kentucky is averaging 75.7 points per game, and they will need to continue that production if they want to get the win. In their last game, Kentucky gave up only 53 points, and they will need another similar defensive effort against the loaded Jayhawks. Oscar Tshiebwe continues to be the primary offensive production on the team, averaging 16.6 points per game. He also averages offensive rebounds at a 19.6% rate, which is the second-highest in the nation.

The key for Kentucky in this game will be crashing the offensive glass. They rank first in the nation in offensive rebounds, thanks to Oscar Tshiebwe and Jacob Toppin. Kansas shoots better and defends better overall, but they rank 199th in offensive rebounds allowed. To me, relying on a team to rely on second-chance scoring doesn't instill any confidence in me to back a team to win. Kansas plays better everywhere on the court and arguably has the better big in Jalen Wilson, who is ranked as the second-best player in the nation on Kenpom. Kentucky has more momentum coming into this game, but they have played an easier schedule recently, as Kansas plays in the toughest conference in the nation this season. Kansas' three losses in a row have all come to teams with a higher net ranking than Kentucky, and Kansas ranks first overall in the most rigid strength of schedule and still has a better record than Kentucky. I'm on the Jayhawks.

Kentucky vs. Kansas Pick

• Kansas +2.5 @ (-110) Bet $100 to collect $190. DraftKings has the best odds, click here

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