Big 12 rivals Missouri and Kansas Clash in Lawrence

Missouri Tigers at Kansas Jayhawks, Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS
Monday, February 7, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Kansas -10
Current Line: Kansas -10 1/2
Opening Total: 154
Current Total: 154 1/2
Money Line: Kansas -650 / Missouri +475

Marcus Morris and the Kansas Jayhawks are 10 1/2 point favorites at home against Big 12 rival Missouri, in a battle for border bragging rights.

Missouri is ranked #19 in the AP poll and #20 in the Coaches’ poll. The Tigers are 18-5 overall and 4-4 in the Big 12. Tonight, the Tigers travel to their arch-rival, the #2 (in both polls) ranked Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas is 22-1 overall and 7-1 in the Big 12. Missouri snapped a two game losing streak Saturday with an 89-73 victory at home versus Colorado. Missouri has other wins over Wyoming,Oregon, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas St, and Iowa St. They have losses to Georgetown, Colorado. Texas A&M, Texas, and Oklahoma St. Kansas has a loss to Texas but is one of only 2 one loss teams in the country along with San Diego St. The Jayhawks have wins over Arizona, UCLA, Memphis, Colorado St, USC, Cal, Michigan, Iowa St, Nebraska twice, Baylor, Colorado, Kansas St, and Texas Tech. Since the loss at home to Texas, the Jayhawks have won 4 in a row, including an 86-66 victory at Nebraska Saturday. They Jayhawks have won each of their last four games by at least 14 points. Kansas leads the overall series 169-94 including 40-14 at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas has won 11 straight at home in the series dating back to 1999. Overall, Kansas has won 3 straight in the series, 8 of the last 9, and 12 out of 15. Kansas has also gone 4-0 ATS in the last 4 games against Missouri, and 3 of those 4 have gone under the total. Kansas is 6-0 ATS as a favorite between 9.5 and 12 points the last 3 seasons.

Missouri has no significant injuries right now. Missouri has 5 players scoring in double digits. Guard Marcus Denmon averages 16.7 points to lead the team, 3.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.1 steals a game to lead the team. He is also shooting 45.9% from 3 point range. Forward Ricardo Ratliffe averages 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds to lead the team, 1.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game. Guard Kim English averages 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals a game. Forward Laurence Bowers averages 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1 steals, and 2.1 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard Michael Dixon averages 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists to lead the team, and 2 steals a game. Missouri is outscoring opponents 83-69 on the season. Missouri is shooting 46.6% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range. Tiger opponents are shooting 41.5% from the field. Missouri is shooting 72% from the free throw line. Missouri averages 37.6 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +0.2. The Tigers average 17.1 assists and 13.1 turnovers a game. Missouri forces 18.6 turnovers a game on defense. They average 10 steals and 5.6 blocks a game.

Kansas guard Josh Selby missed the game against Nebraska with a possible stress fracture in his foot. He is listed as doubtful for this game tonight. Selby averages 12 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He also shoots 43.5% from 3-point range. He also missed the first 9 games of the season with an injury. Kansas is led by the Morris twins, 6’9″, 235 pound Marcus and 6’10”, 245 pound Markieff. “Little Brother” Marcus averages 16.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists a game. Big Brother Markieff averages 13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1 block a game. He leads the team in rebounding and blocks. Both Morris brothers shoot over 34% from 3-point range. Guard Tyrel Reed averages 9.7 points, 3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals a game. Tyshawn Taylor leads the team in assists with 4.8 a game. Brady Morningstar leads the team in steals with 1.5 a game. Reed, Taylor, and Morningstar will have to pick up the scoring slack if Selby can’t go. Kansas is outscoring opponents 83-63 on the season. Kansas is shooting 52% from the field and 38.6% from 3-point range. The Jayhawks are holding opponents to 38.3% shooting from the field. Kansas averages 38.9 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +6.9. The Jayhawks average 18.2 assists and 13.6 turnovers a game. They force 15.6 turnovers a game on defense. Kansas averages 8.6 steals and 4.4 blocks a game.

With or without Selby, Kansas is still one of the best teams in the country especially at home. The loss to Texas snapped a 69 game home winning streak for the Jayhawks. Missouri has struggled on the road in conference going 0-4 so far in those games. Missouri has been a little disappointing this year, but are still a dangerous team. They have the talent to pull of the upset, but I think Kansas just has too much talent.