— Tuesday, January 11th Iowa State Cyclones @ Kansas Jayhawks
A Big 12 top-15 matchup is on the docket Tuesday as the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks (12-2, 1-1) host the No. 15 Iowa State Cyclones (13-2, 1-2). Both teams are looking to stay close to unbeaten Baylor in the conference standings. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, and the game will be on ESPN+.
Kansas has dominated this matchup historically and recently. They have taken the last four games dating back to an Iowa State overtime win on Feb. 4, 2017. Kansas leads the series all-time 186-66 with a 96-16 record in Lawrence and a 30-10 record under Bill Self.
Cyclones Defense is Their Calling Card
The Cyclones are 9-6 ATS this season, and the under is 9-6 in their 15 games. They have only played two true road games, with a win at Creighton in December and a loss at Oklahoma on Saturday. They rank 15th in the nation defensively, allowing 58.4 ppg, and ISU is sixth against the 3-pointer at 26.2 percent.
The offense has struggled recently with 51 points against Texas Tech and 66 at Oklahoma. They rank 204th in the nation at 71.1 ppg and 128th in shooting percentage (45.5).
Izaiah Brockington had 20 in the loss to Oklahoma, as did Tyrese Hunter. But the other three starters combined for just 10 points and seven rebounds as the Cyclones got outscored 47-30 in the second half.
Brockington leads the Cyclones with 17 ppg and 8.1 rpg while shooting 49% from the field and 41% from the three-point range. Hunter leads the team with 4.8 apg and ranks second in scoring at 10.3 ppg. Gabe Kalscheur, a Minnesota transfer, averages 9.8 ppg but is shooting a career-low 22.1 percent from the 3-point range.
The Cyclones make nearly seven three-pointers per game and will need the outside shot against Kansas. Caleb Grill has knocked down 26 3-pointers on the season while Tre Jackson has made 19, and Aljaz Kunc has 16. Jackson made 4-of-7 at Oklahoma while Hunter and Brockington both knocked down two 3-pointers.
Jayhawks Dial Up the Threes
Kansas is 7-6-1 ATS this season, and the over is 10-4 in their 14 games. The Jayhawks are 7-0 at home, taking those contests by an average of 85.7 to 62.6. Their conference loss came on Saturday at No. 19 Texas Tech, and they also lost to Dayton in November in Florida.
Bill Self’s squad ranks 10th in the nation at 83.1 ppg, and they are sixth in field goal percentage at 50.4. Kansas shoots 37.3 percent from the 3-point range, making 8.5 per contest. The defense is pedestrian, ranking 148th in scoring (67.2), 218th in field goal percentage (43.1), and 120th in 3-point percentage (31.6).
Senior guard Ochai Agbaji leads Kansas at 20.5 ppg while shooting 47 percent from 3-point range and making 3.1 per game. Christian Braun averages 16.4 ppg to go with 6.1 rpg and 3.1 apg. Jalen Wilson leads the Jayhawks at 6.4 rpg to go with his 6.8 ppg, and Dajuan Harris Jr. leads the team with 3.9 apg.
Kansas shot just 43 percent in the loss at Texas Tech while committing 17 turnovers and getting outrebounded 34-24. Agbaji was 6-of-9 from deep on Saturday and finished with 24 points while Wilson had 20.
Betting Analysis
- Iowa State Cyclones +11.5 (-110). Money Line +490
- Kansas Jayhawks -11.5 (-110). Money Line -690
- Total Points: 141 Over -110. Under -110
Iowa State ranks 10th in the nation in turnovers forced, but Kansas averages just 12 per game. The Cyclones will need to turn Kansas over early and make their outside shots to keep this one close. The Jayhawks have used momentum with their crowd to rack up blowouts this season, with only two home games decided by single digits.
Betting Pick: Kansas -11.5 (-110)
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