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The Missouri Tigers vs. Kansas Jayhawks line was listed at -11 in favor of Kansas at Sportsbook.com with a 154.5 total. (see odds here)
Line/Total: Kansas -11 & 154.5
Kansas looks for its 12th straight home win against Missouri when it hosts the Tigers on Monday night.
In the previous 11 home victories over the Tigers, the Jayhawks won by an average of 15.9 PPG. And since losing to Texas at home (74-63) on Jan. 22, they've won four straight, three of which have been on the road. Three of the four victories have also been by double figures, including Saturday's 86-66 rout at Nebraska. Brady Morningstar (5.9 PPG, 36.5% three-pointers) had a season-high 19 points versus the Cornhuskers, as Kansas hit a season-best 13-of-24 three-pointers (54.2%). Morningstar is now 11 for his past 18 (61%) from long range after going 5-of-7 on threes against Nebraska. The Jayhawks made 55.6% of their shots (25-of-45) and limited the Huskers to 41.1% from the field (23-of-56). Markieff Morris (13.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 58.8 FG%) made a career-high 3 three-pointers and finished with 17 points on 6-of-6 shooting, while Marcus Morris (16.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 60.3 FG%) added 16 for his 12th consecutive game in double figures. Kansas will play just its third game against a team that was ranked at the time they matched up. KU is 1-1 in games versus the Top 25, defeating Memphis 81-68 in December and losing to Texas last month. It leads the nation in field-goal percentage (52.0%) and ranks eighth in points (82.9 PPG, second in the Big 12) and fourth in the country in assists (18.2 APG). Freshman Josh Selby, (12.0 PPG, 43.5% three-pointers) sat out the Nebraska game with a stress reaction on his right foot, and is doubtful for Monday's game.
Missouri features an explosive offense, which ranks sixth in the nation in points (83.3 PPG, first in the Big 12) and 11th in assists (17.0 PPG). But the Tigers are winless in the Big 12 on the road (0-4), with two of the four setbacks coming by double digits (at Texas, 71-58 and at Colorado, 89-76). After dropping consecutive road games to the Longhorns and Oklahoma State (76-70), Mizzou defeated Colorado 89-73 on Saturday night behind Kim English's (10.8 PPG, 39.6% three-pointers) 21 points. Leading scorer Marcus Denmon (16.7 PPG, 45.9% three-pointers) added 17 points and Ricardo Ratliffe (11.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG) chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds. The Tigers have a +14.2 scoring margin and lead the Big 12 in blocked shots (5.6 BPG) and turnover margin (+5.5 per game).
Kansas has won 12 of the past 15 overall meetings against Missouri, and has won the past three by an average of 21.7 PPG. The Jayhawks lead the all-time series with the Tigers, 169-94, including an 87-33 mark in games played in Lawrence and a 40-14 record at Allen Fieldhouse.
