The Kansas Jayhawks (22-8, 10-7) face off against the red-hot Houston Cougars (27-3, 14-3) today in one last regular season tune-up before the Big 12 tournament begins next week. The Cougars, winners of eight straight, would seal the conference regular-season title with a victory. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks would more than likely secure a double-bye in the conference tournament with a road upset.
Kansas is coming off a much-needed blowout victory against Kansas State, winning 90-68. After consecutive losses to BYU and Baylor, senior guard Nick Timberlake gave the team a jolt, leading the way with a season-high 18 points. Houston had more of a nail-biter, riding a second-half comeback led by L.J. Cryer (25 points) to secure a 67-59 win over Central Florida.
Kansas vs. Houston Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Kansas | +8
-115 |
O 137
-115 |
+275 |
| Houston | -8
-105 |
U 137
-105 |
-345 |
| **Odds Courtesy of DraftKings* | |||
Kansas vs. Houston Game Details
- Fixture: Kansas @ Houston
- Date and Time: March 9, 2024 @ 4:00 pm EST
- Location: Fertitta Center in Houston, TX
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Kansas | vs. | Houston |
| 22-8 | Record | 27-3 |
| 77 | Points Per Game | 74.1 |
| 49.8 | FG% | 43.8 |
| 34.4 | 3PT% | 34.7 |
| 36.1 | Rebounds Per Game | 38 |
| 68.3 | Points Allowed Per Game | 57.3 |
| 40.3 | Defensive FG% | 38.5 |
| 33 | Defensive 3PT% | 30.7 |
| 69.7 | Defensive FT% | 66.4 |
| 28 | Defensive Rebounds Per Game | 23.9 |
| 3-2 | Last 5 W-L | 5-0 |
Key Stats
Kansas Jayhawks
Although Kansas ranks 15th in the NET and 17th in KenPom, it’s just 3-6 away from home. Bill Self’s squad does rank 10th in adjusted defensive efficiency, while also sporting dangerous scorers on offense. Kevin McCullar Jr. and Hunter Dickinson average 19.1 and 18.2 points per game, respectively. DaJuan Harris Jr. is also an effective floor general, handing out 6.6 assists a game.
Houston Cougars
Houston owns the country’s top defense and a 16-0 home record. The metrics support its #1 AP Poll ranking, with both the NET and KenPom ranking the program on top. However, the offense is ranked 163rd in the country and is light on scoring threats. Cryer leads the squad with 15.8 points per game, but the Cougars ‘ frontcourt holds them back. Their only true forward that’s approaching double digits is J’Wan Roberts, with 9.9 points a game on 59-percent shooting. On top of that, center Cedric Lath (3.3 minutes a game) is their only true big man.
Game Prediction
While the Kansas Jayhawks have the offensive firepower to keep the game competitive, it will be hard to consistently score against this elite defense. Mix in Houston’s bulletproof resume at home, as well as Kansas’ rather average 7-6 mark against Quad 1 opponents, and it’s difficult to see a successful day for the Jayhawks. Expect the Cougars to cover the spread as they shut down the Kansas attack, holding it well below its season average.
With both teams ranking top-1o in adjusted defensive efficiency, this is unlikely to become an offensive shootout. This is an easy spot to take the under.
Final Prediction
Houston -8 and Under 137.5
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Joshua is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. He started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper. When he’s not watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or writing a screenplay. Follow him on X @joshvaldez100.
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