#7 Kansas Jayhawks at Texas Longhorns
Frank Erwin Special Events Center – Austin, Texas
Saturday, January 21, 2012, 4:00 pm Eastern, CBS (Reg. coverage)
Opening Line: Kansas -3
Current Line: Kansas -3 1/2
Opening Total: 136 1/2
Current Total: 137 1/2
Opening Money Line: Kansas -165 / Texas +145
Current Money Line: Kansas -165 / Texas +145
The 15-3 Kansas Jayhawks are #7 in the country. The Jayhawks are coming off a huge 92-74 home win over previously undefeated Baylor that gave Kansas sole possession of first place in the Big 12 at 5-0. The Jayhawks are a game ahead of Baylor and Missouri, both 4-1. Now, Kansas must travel south to take on the 12-6 Texas Longhorns who are 2-3 in conference. Kansas leads the series 18-7 against Texas, including four of the last 5. The Jayhawks beat the Longhorns 85-73 last year in Kansas City in the Big 12 Championship game. The Longhorns’ only win recently against Kansas was a big one as it snapped the Jayhawks’ school record 69 game home winning streak almost a year ago today. Texas leads the series 5-4 in Austin.
Kansas is coached by Bill Self. The Jayhawks have three losses, all at neutral sites: to Kentucky in New York, to Duke in the Maui Invitational, and to Davidson in Kansas City. Since the Davidson loss Kansas has won 8 straight games. The Jayhawks have wins over Georgetown and UCLA in Maui, South Florida, Long Beach St, Ohio St, USC, Kansas St, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Iowa St in addition to the Baylor win.
Texas is coached by Rick Barnes. The Longhorns have losses to Oregon St, NC State, North Carolina, Iowa St, Missouri, and at Kansas St Wednesday 84-80. Texas has lost two games in a row both on the road. Texas has wins over Rhode Island, Sam Houston St, North Texas, UCLA, Temple, Rice, Oklahoma St, and Texas A&M.
Kansas is outscoring opponents 77-60 this season. The Jayhawks are shooting 48.5% from the field, including 35.5% from the three point line. Kansas is in the top 35 nationally in all categories. Kansas makes 68.1% of their free throws. Kansas averages 39.2 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +8.4. The Jayhawks average 16.4 assists, 14.1 turnovers, 7.8 steals, and 5.7 blocks a game. Kansas opponents are shooting 37.2% from the field including 32.6% from 3 point range. Kansas is #8 nationally in opponent’s field goal percentage. The Jayhawks force 15.4 turnovers a game.
Kansas Forward Thomas Robinson averages 17.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, along with 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks a game. He leads the Jayhawks in scoring and rebounding. Robinson is second in the country in rebounding and is a Naismith Award semifinalist. Tyshawn Taylor averages 16.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists to lead the team, and 1.2 steals a game. He is shooting 44.8% from 3 point range. Travis Releford averages 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. Elijah Johnson averages 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals a game to lead the team. Jeff Withey averages 7.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard Ben McLemore and forward Jamari Taylor are both ineligible this season.
Texas is outscoring opponents 76-65 this season. The Longhorns are shooting 45.1% from the field, and 33.6% from 3 point range. Texas makes 72.4% of their free throws. The Longhorns average 37.4 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +3.8. Texas averages 13.4 assists, 13.2 turnovers, 3.9 blocks, and 7.1 steals a game. Texas opponents are shooting 39.2% from the field and 35% from 3 point range. The Longhorns force 14.4 turnovers a game.
Texas guard J’Covan Brown averages 19.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals a game to tie for the team lead. Brown makes 38.1% from 3 point range. Sheldon McClellan averages 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals a game. Myck Kabongo averages 10 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists to lead the team, and 1.3 steals a game. Jonathan Holmes averages 8.4 points, and 5.3 rebounds a game. Julien Lewis averages 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals a game. Clint Chapman averages 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game to lead the Longhorns in both categories.
Texas is 4-9 against the spread, and the total is 6-7 this season. Kansas is 10-7 ATS and the total is 6-11 this season. The Jayhawks have covered 4 of the last 5 games against the Longhorns. Kansas is 3-0-1 ATS as a road favorite, 5-1 in Big 12 games, 4-1 as a favorite, after a straight up win, and overall, 8-3-1 in Saturday games, 18-7-1 as a road favorite of 6.5 points or less, and 1-4 after scoring 90 points or more. The Longhorns are 6-2 ATS as an underdog of 6.5 points or less, including 6-1 at home, 7-3 as an underdog, including 6-2 at home, 2-7 at home, and after a cover, 1-4 against teams with winning records, and overall, and 1-5 in Big 12 games.
Although Texas is having a down year, they are still a dangerous team that Kansas should not overlook. I don’t see a let down game for the Jayhawks, as the two schools have developed a pretty good rivalry recently. Both teams have been consistently the best teams in the conference over the last 5-10 years. The Kansas-Texas games have been close recently with 5 of the last 7 decided by 10 points or less. I like that trend to continue, but Kansas should cover the 3.5 point spread.
