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A pair of Bg 12 teams out to right their respective ships meet in Lawrence Monday night, the Cincinnati Bearcats (13-5, 2-3 conference) visiting the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks (15-3, 3-2). It’s the first meeting between the teams since 1996.
Cincy’s dropped three of its last four, the latest a 69-65 home setback to No 15 Oklahoma this past Saturday, Only two Bearcats (Simas Lukosius [17 points] and John New Newman III [14] finished in double figures.
Kansas suffered a 91-85 road loss at West Virginia Saturday afternoon, Morgantown the Jayhawks’ own hellish venue over the past decade.
Game time at Allen Fieldhouse is 9 PM ET.
Kansas is an 8½-point favorite (total at 146½), according to college basketball odds.
Moneyline is Jayhawks (leading the all-time series, 4-3) -410, Bearcats at +325.
Cincinnati vs Kansas (01-22-24) Game Preview | College Basketball Picks ... @BetUS_Official https://t.co/nUGHxDBzmU via @YouTube
— gambling911 (@gambling911) January 22, 2024
Bearcats Close, But…
The Cincinnati Bearcats have not been wallflowers in their first season in the Big 12, as Monday is their sixth consecutive game against a ranked (at the time) opponent. Cincinnati was an 11-point winner at Brigham Young, a one–point home loser to Texas, three-point loser at Baylor, four-point home winner against Texas Christian and four-point loser (home) to Oklahoma.
In other words, the team has been in every game of late, but hasn’t always closed the sale. Forward Viktor Lahkin (13 points, 7½ rebounds per game) leads the team in both categories. but was limited to five points against OU (23 points in last three).
Daniel Skillings and Day Day Thomas are each above 11 points/game.
Jayhawks’ Two-fer Threat
The Kansas Jayhawks currently sit fourth in the Big 12, averaging 79½ points per game. They’re the best shooting team in the conference (51 percent), so no secret as to their strength. KU also leads the nation with 21 assists/game.
Forward Kevin McCullar Jr. (20 points/game) and center Hunter Dickinson (19,3 points/game) are 1-2 in conference scoring.
Defensively, surrendering 91 points in that loss to West Virginia was not acceptable, with the Mountaineers shooting 51.8 percent overall (57.1 percent 3-pointers). There was much tape reviewing after that, one might suspect.
Join the Jayhawks
There are any number of alternative wagers available, as per Cincinnati vs. Kansas props.
The Cincinnati Bearcats had a good start to their season, but difficult Big 12 opposition has been an issue.
Kansas is obviously one of the best teams in the country, now in a rare position of having to rebound after a losing effort. KU will need to set the tone on defense after a porous game at West Virginia, but its offense remains a constant.
Expect Kansas to take control of this game, creating separation in the second half.
Bet the Kansas Jayhawks -8½ over the Cincinnati Bearcats Monday evening.
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
