The #7 Kansas Jayhawks (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) visit the Oklahoma Sooners (12-5, 2-3 Big 12) in a conference rivalry matchup on Tuesday evening. Kansas comes into the matchup winners in their last two games, while the Sooners try and avoid a three-game losing skid.
Tuesday’s tipoff is at 7 p.m. EST inside the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK. The Jayhawks are a 3.5-point favorite in the conference tilt, and the over-under total is at 144.0 points.
What to Know – Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas is 4-1 to start the new year, picking up back-to-back conference victories over Iowa State and West Virginia at home. The Jayhawks have a half-game lead over four opponents in the Big 12 standings. Kansas currently ranks 8th overall in KenPom, fifth in adjusted offensive efficiency, and 33rd in defensive.
On offense, the Jayhawks lead the conference averaging 81.9 points per game and shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from the arc. Defensively, Kansas is last in the league, allowing 66.3 points per game, 41.9 percent shooting from the floor, and 31.2 percent from three.
The Jayhawks outscored the Mountaineers 52-28 to pull away with a lopsided 85-59 victory on Saturday. Jalen Wilson led the team with 23 points, and Ochai Agbaji chipped in 20. Kansas continued their hot shooting, pouring 51.4 percent of their field goals.
Kansas is 8-8 against the spread this season with a 2-1 mark on the road. The Jayhawks are 1-4 ATS over their last five games playing on the road against the Sooners.
What to Know – Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners have a challenging task on hand to avoid their fourth conference loss of the season and third in a row. Oklahoma has sputtered lately, losers of three of its last four contests. Oklahoma has tumbled to 34th in the KenPom, ranking 55th in offensive efficiency and 27th in defensive efficiency.
Oklahoma ranks fourth in the Big 12, scoring 72.4 points per game while shooting 49.9 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc. On defense, the Sooners surrender 62.1 points, 41.4 percent shooting, and 30.1 percent from the 3-point line.
TCU edged the Sooners in a low-scoring 59-58 overtime defeat on Saturday. Oklahoma was plagued by turnovers, turning the ball over 20 times. Jalen Hill and Jordan Goldwire led the Sooners in scoring with 12 points apiece.
The Sooners are 8-9 ATS and 4-5 at home. Oklahoma is 2-10 ATS over its last 12 games against Big 12 Foes.
The Pick is In
The last time these two teams met in Norman, the Sooners pulled out a 75-68 victory. Oklahoma hopes for similar results Tuesday night, but the Jayhawks have been playing well this month, and the Sooners the opposite.
Conference games are always tough to win and even tougher on the road. Kansas has the veteran leadership and a future Hall of Fame coach to guide them to a comfortable victory.
Betting Pick: Kansas Jayhawks -3.5
