Big 12 Conference Semifinals
Colorado Buffaloes vs Kansas Jayhawks
Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
Friday, March 11, 2011, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: MASN, Altitude
Opening Line: Kansas -12
Current Line: Kansas -12
Opening Total: 155
Current Total: 154
Money Line: Kansas -900 / Colorado +650
Kansas and Colorado have long been conference rivals dating back to the old Big 8 days. Kansas and Colorado have been playing since 1931 and have played each other 160 times. However, this could be the last time the two teams play each other at least for the foreseeable future as Colorado moves to the Pac-10 next year. However, that is next year, and the two teams still have business to take care of tonight. Colorado might have done enough to receive a bid to the NCAA tournament by beating Kansas St for the third time this season in the quarterfinals 87-75. The Buffaloes might have even avoided having to travel to Dayton for a First Four game on Tuesday or Wednesday. Colorado is 21-12 and finished the regular season 8-8 in conference play, good enough for the fifth seed in the Big 12 tournament. After a narrow 77-75 escape over lowly Iowa St in the first round, Colorado beat Kansas St to advance to this showdown against Kansas. For their part the Jayhawks are trying to secure a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Some say the Jayhawks have already clinched a number one seed but they would rather go to the San Antonio or New Orleans regionals rather than being shipped out west to Anaheim. Kansas is 30-2 overall and finished the regular season 14-2 in the Big 12 as the regular season champion. Kansas has won 6 games in a row including a 63-62 win over a pesky Oklahoma St team in the quarterfinals yesterday.
Kansas swept the season series against Colorado winning 82-78 in Boulder on January 25 and 89-63 in Lawrence February 19. Kansas has beaten Colorado 17 straight times since 2003 and leads the overall series 121-39. The Jayhawks are 7-0 against the Buffaloes in conference tournament games. Colorado is 4-2 ATS versus Kansas in the last six games and 4 of those 6 games have gone under the total.
Colorado has no significant injuries right now. The Buffaloes have four players averaging double digit scoring led by Guard Alec Burks. Burks is averaging 20 points to lead the team, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game to also lead the team. Guard Cory Higgins averages 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1 steals a game. Levi Knutson averages 11.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. The top 3 scorers all shoot at least 82% from the free throw line. Forward Marcus Relphorde averages 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Guard Andre Roberson leads the team in rebounds with 7.9, steals with 1.4 a game, and blocks with 1.1 a game. Colorado is outscoring opponents 80-73 on the season. The Buffs are shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.8% from 3 point range. Colorado opponents are shooting 44.5% from the field. The Buffaloes make 78.3% of their free throws. Colorado averages 36.1 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +2.9. The Buffs average 13.4 assists and 11.9 turnovers a game. They force 13.8 turnovers a game on defense. Colorado averages 6.8 steals and 3.1 blocks a game.
Kansas has no significant injuries right now. Kansas is led by the Morris twins, 6’9″, 235 pound Marcus and 6’10”, 245 pound Markieff. “Little Brother” Marcus averages 17.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists a game. Big Brother Markieff averages 13.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounding and blocks. Both Morris brothers shoot over 36% from 3-point range. Guard Tyrel Reed averages 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals a game to tie for the team lead. Kansas Guard Josh Selby averages 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. He also shoots 37.5% from 3-point range. He has missed numerous games this season due to injury and is still recovering from a stress fracture in his foot. Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor averages 8.6 points, 2 rebounds, leads the team in assists with 4.5 a game and averages 1.1 steals a game. Forward Thomas Robinson is averaging 8.2 points, and 6.6 rebounds a game. Brady Morningstar averages 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and leads the team in steals with 1.5 a game. Kansas is outscoring opponents 82-64 on the season. Kansas is shooting 51.2% from the field and 38.6% from 3-point range. The Jayhawks are holding opponents to 39.3% shooting from the field. Kansas makes 67.2% of their free throws. Kansas averages 38.5 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +7.7. The Jayhawks average 18 assists and 13.5 turnovers a game. They force 14.7 turnovers a game on defense. Kansas averages 8.2 steals and 4.2 blocks a game.
Kansas is the better team but Colorado has been playing well recently. Kansas didn’t play their best game yesterday and was nearly tripped up by Oklahoma St. They were lucky to escape with a one point victory but good teams can win games when they aren’t playing their best. I think this spread is a little too high and Colorado will cover.
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