The Missouri Tigers (5-4, 0-1 away) battle the #8 Kansas Jayhawks (7-1, 3-0 home) in a rivalry matchup of old Big 12 Conference foes in the HyVee Hoops Border Showdown. These two teams have met 267 times, with the Jayhawks holding a 173-94 advantage over the Tigers. Saturday’s clash will be the first time these two teams face each other since 2012.
Saturday’s tipoff is set for 3:15 p.m. EST inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS. Kansas is a 23-point favorite against Mizzou, and the over-under total is at 143.0 points.
What to Know – Missouri Tigers
Missouri followed up a blowout, 66-45, loss to Liberty with a 28-point, 72-44, triumph over Eastern Illinois to start the week. The Tigers have the tough task of heading into Allen Fieldhouse to look for their first victory over the Jayhawks since 2009. Mizzou hasn’t won in Lawrence since 1955.
Offensively, the Tigers average 66.6 points per game behind 41.1% shooting from the field and 24.6% from the 3-point line. Missouri gives up 43.1 points per game while holding opponents to 43.1% shooting from the floor and 35.5% from three.
Missouri throttled the Panthers on Tuesday night, outrebounding EIU 42-21 and holding the Panthers to 23.5% shooting from the arc. Amari Davis led the Tigers’ balanced scoring attack with 15 points. Kobe Brown stated a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Tigers are 3-6 against the spread this year and 1-4 ATS over their last five games. Additionally, Missouri is 2-4 ATS over their last six contests on the road.
What to Know – Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks aim for their fourth victory in a row and to stay undefeated at home. Kansas has had a ton of success against the Tigers at home, winning the last 14 in Lawrence.
Kansas scores an impressive 84.5 points per game thanks to shooting 51.8% from the field and 35.2% beyond the arc. The Jayhawks’ defense surrenders 67.3 points, 42.6% shooting from the floor, and 31.0% from the 3-point line.
In their 78-52 victory over UTEP on Tuesday, the Jayhawks shot 53.6% from the field and outrebounded the Miners by 11 rebounds. Ochai Agbaji poured in 23 points, and Christian Braun added 20 to pace Kansas in the blowout victory.
Kansas sports a 4-4 mark ATS with a 1-1 record inside Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks are a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last five games played in December but 0-5 ATS in recent contests against teams from the SEC.
The Pick is In
A rivalry renewed when the Tigers and Jayhawks tipoff on Saturday afternoon. A lot has changed since the two teams last met in 2012, but the rivalry remains.
Kansas outmatches the Tigers in every facet of the game, and this one should be over by the end of the first half. The talent and depth of the Jayhawks roster overrun the Tigers team and leads to a blowout win at home over Missouri.
Betting Pick: Kansas Jayhawks -23
