Kentucky Going After Fifth Win in a Row
In some years, a Kansas-Kentucky matchup might be for the No. 1 ranking in the country. However, that is not the case this season. Kansas is in the Top 10 in the national polls. However, that is likely to change when the new rankings come out while Kentucky is unranked.
The game does feature two of the top candidates for the National Player of the Year award. Jalen Wilson of Kansas is second only to Purdue’s Zach Edey in the odds and Kentucky’s double-double machine Oscar Tshiebwe could become more of a factor if the Wildcats keep on winning.
Kansas has dropped three games in a row to fall a game behind Iowa State, Kansas State and Texas in the Big 12 standings.
The Jayhawks have lost their last two games on the road. Kentucky is 12-2 at home.
Kansas is struggling to defend on the perimeter with opponents shooting 40.6% on 3-pointers. Kentucky is one of the top offensive rebounding teams, pulling down 12.5 per game. Dring the four-game winning streak, Kentucky holds a 54-19 advantage in offensive rebounds.
Guard Kyle Cuffe (knee) and forward Cam Martin (shoulder) continue to be sidelined for Kansas.
Daimion Collins has missed the last four games as a result of a foot injury and is questionable.
Kansas dropped from second to ninth in both the Associated Press and coaches’ polls. Kentucky was ranked as high as 4 in the national rankings, but have been outside the Top 25 in each of the last four weeks.
According to the college basketball odds, Kansas (+1200) is fourth in the odds to win the national title. Kentucky comes in at +4000 in the championship odds. Kansas (+300) is favored to win the Big 12 title while Kentucky (+4000) is fourth in the SEC championship odds.
Let’s check the latest college basketball news, stats, injury reports and college basketball lines for Kansas vs Kentucky. We’ve got plenty of NCAA basketball picks for you to consider.
Trying to Find the Range
Kansas lost its top two 3-point shooters off its national championship team so there were concerns about the perimeter shooting heading into the season.
Led by freshman Gradey Dick’s team-leading 52 3-pointers while shooting 43.7% from distance, Kansas is shooting a higher percentage on 3-pointers while taking and making more 3-pointers than a season ago.
However, over the last four games it has been a struggle to make shots from the perimeter with Kansas just 20 of 90 on 3-pointers.
Wilson is 7 of 16 from distance over the last two games. However, the other players are just 5 of 24 on 3-pointers.
Kansas has failed to cover against the college basketball betting lines in its last five games as well as in four of the previous meetings with Kentucky.
Lending a Helping Hand
At times this season, too much was left on the shoulders of Tshiebwe.
However, over the last four games there has been production from other Wildcats.
Antonio Reeves is averaging 14.5 points with 10 3-pointers during the four-game winning streak. It hasn’t hurt that he is also 12 for 12 from the free-throw line.
.@ToniooReeves – 16 PTS, 2 3PT
Six straight games in double figures. pic.twitter.com/s39ZvYmTE3
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 25, 2023
Jacob Toppin is putting up 11.3 points and 8.3 rebounds and freshman Cason Wallace has 38 points in the last three games while CJ Fredrick has scored in double figures in four of the last five games.
Tshiebwe is still a dominant force, especially during his game with 37 points and 24 rebounds in a win over Georgia and with the help from his teammates has Kentucky back trending in the right direction.
Kentucky has covered against the Las Vegas odds in four of its last five games.
Kansas vs Kentucky Injuries
Kansas vs Kentucky Head-to-Head
Kansas has won four of the last six matchups. However, Kentucky has won two of the last three and that includes the 80-62 road win last season with Kentucky winning 80-62 as the five-point underdog. Tshiebwe had 17 points and 14 rebounds in the victory.
It was the fifth game in a row in the series to go under the total. Kentucky has covered in each of the last four meetings.
Kansas vs Kentucky Game Information
- Game: Kansas (16-4, 5-3 in the Big 12) vs Kentucky (14-6, 6-3 in the SEC)
- Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Day/Time: Saturday, Jan. 28, 8 p.m. ET
- Kansas vs Kentucky Live Stream: TBS
Kansas vs Kentucky Betting Lines
Kansas vs Kentucky Prediction
In the last meeting between the teams, also part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, the Wildcats left little doubt by putting up 51 points in the first half and led by 20 points at the break. The Wildcats led at halftime in three of the four games during the winning streak. Kansas has trailed at the half during its three-game losing streak.
The total has gone over in each of Kentucky’s last six games. The total opened at 141½ and is now at 140 as a result of the money coming in on the under. Six of the last nine Kansas games went under the total so this could be all about pace of play. With the way the teams have been playing, it is hard to go against Kentucky in this one.
Kentucky has covered in just six of 12 home games, while Kansas has covered in three of its five road games.
The Jayhawks are 0-2 when listed by the sportsbook as the underdog. Kentucky is 13-3 as the favorite.
Kansas is listed at +120 in our Las Vegas college basketball lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Jayhawks, you have a chance to win $120. Kentucky is -140, offering a chance to win $71on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Kansas a 45.45% chance to win, with Kentucky at 58.33%.
The odds in this chart are based on the time of publication. They are subject to change.
Kansas vs Kentucky Trends
Kansas vs Kentucky Edge
Kansas vs Kentucky Results
Kansas vs Kentucky Game Summary
