College Basketball Pick: Oklahoma Sooners at #8 Kansas Jayhawks

The Oklahoma Sooners (16-10 Overall, 6-8 Big 12) visit the #8 Kansas Jayhawks (21-6 Overall, 10-4 Big 12) tonight for a 9:00 p.m. E.T. tipoff at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS. The Sooners are four games out of first and seventh in the conference. The Jayhawks are tied for first in the Big 12 with Texas Tech. Our Oklahoma plays Kansas 2018 NCAA basketball pick offers the Jayhawks at either -9.0 or -9.5. The over/under at from 164.5 to 165.5.

Recent History

When the two teams met on Jan. 12, the Sooners were ranked 12th nationally and the Jayhawks were fifth. Oklahoma won that contest 85-80. But the Sooners have struggled since that win, losing six of seven games. Kansas is coming off a 77-69 win on Feb. 17 over #20 West Virginia. Since their loss to the Sooners, the Jayhawks have gone 5-2.

Matchup

The Sooners are scoring 87.5 PPG, which is 5.9 more points per game than the Jayhawks. However, they’re allowing 82.0 PPG. Kansas is giving up 70.7 PPG to opponents. Oklahoma is snatching about four more rebounds per game than the Jayhawks, while assists, steals, and blocks are about even. The Hawks are good on 48.8 of their shots, while the Sooners are putting in 47.1%. Oklahoma has a six-percentage-point advantage over Kansas in foul shooting. The three-point completion rate of the two teams is fairly even with Kansas holding a two-percentage point advantage.

Players to Watch

For Oklahoma, Trae Young (29.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 9.2 APG) is a premium talent. He leads the team in points and assists per game. Senior forward Khadeem Lattin and freshman forward Brady Manek are both solid under the hoop. Manek is averaging 11.0 PPG and hitting 39% of his threes. Junior guard Rashard Odomes is connecting on 52% of his field goals and 55% of shots from beyond the arc.

Kansas has a slew of fine shooters with five players averaging double digits in points. Senior guard Devonte’ Graham leads the team in points and assists with 17.4 PPG and 7.2 APG. Seven-foot, sophomore center Udoka Azubuike is putting up 14.1 PPG, grabbing 7.0 RPG, and blocking 1.6 SPG. He’s completing 77% of his field goals. Senior guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is a deadeye shot with 44% field goal and three-point completion rates.

Our Oklahoma plays Kansas 2018 NCAA Basketball Pick

Kansas has a lot of fine firepower and they offer a sound defense. But the Sooners are much stronger from the charity stripe and are tougher under the basket. Our Oklahoma plays Kansas 2018 NCAA basketball pick is the Sooners at +9.5. We’re going to take the over at 164.5.

Summary Sooners at Jayhawks Picks- Oklahoma at +9.5 and over 164.5