Kansas-Kansas State line at Jayhawks -5
The Kansas-Kansas State line was set at -5 at Sportsbook.com with a total of 145.5 Monday night.
Kansas looks for its seventh straight victory when it visits in-state rival Kansas State on Monday night.
The Jayhawks have won their past five games (SU and ATS) by double digits, and four of those contests have been by at least 20 points. They defeated Iowa State on Saturday, 89-66, behind Markieff Morris' (13.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 59 FG%) 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Marcus Morris' (16.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG, Big 12-best 61% FG) 16 points and 11 rebounds. The brothers' double-doubles marked Markieff's Big 12-best ninth of the season, and the 14th of Marcus' career. Kansas shot 51.6% from the field (33-of-64), and had 24 assists and only nine turnovers against the Cyclones. The Jayhawks lead the nation in field-goal percentage (52%), are second in assists (18.6 APG) and sixth in points (83.9 PPG). They surrender only 64.0 PPG for a plus-19.9 scoring margin. Since losing to Texas on Jan. 22, Kansas is averaging 89.7 PPG in winning six in a row. KU will be without the services of Thomas Robinson (8.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG) on Monday. He had surgery for a meniscus tear in his right knee on Friday and is expected to be out two weeks. Robinson scored 17 points and had nine rebounds in Kansas' rout of Kansas State on Jan. 29, 90-66. Markieff Morris had 20 points and nine boards in that meeting.
Kansas State fell at Colorado, 58-56, on Saturday, as Rodney McGruder (11.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG)'s potential game-winning three-pointer came after the final buzzer, ending the Wildcats' two-game win streak. Kansas State shot only 31% from the field (16-of-52), including 6-of-20 from long range (30%) and 58% (18-of-31) from the free-throw line. It marked the third time in conference play -- and the fourth time this season -- the Wildcats failed to score at least 60 points. They are 0-4 this season in those games. Jamar Samuels (9.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG) led K-State with 13 points against the Buffaloes, while leading scorer Jacob Pullen (18.0 PPG) was limited to 12 on 4-of-12 shooting and McGruder had 11 on 3-of-9 FG. The Wildcats are averaging 72.8 PPG and surrendering 65.7 PPG for a +7.1 scoring margin. They have held 17 opponents to 65 points or less and have limited 10 teams to under 40% shooting from the field.
Kansas has dominated Kansas State, winning 42 of the past 44 contests dating back to the 1994 season. The Jayhawks have won the past seven meetings and lead the all-time series, 181-90, including a 73-44 advantage in Manhattan and a 21-1 edge in Bramlage Coliseum. Since 1997, Kansas is 24-10 ATS (71%) including 11-2 ATS in Manhattan.
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