Oklahoma Sooners vs Kansas Jayhawks Odds
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 141.5 -110o / -110u | +240 |
| Kansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 141.5 -110o / -110u | -300 |
If I learned anything in the past seven days, it's that nobody is unbeatable. That includes the No. 3-ranked Kansas Jayhawks and No. 9-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, who took road losses against UCF and TCU, respectively.
With Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 for the SEC next year, Saturday's matchup is the Sooners' final chance to pull an upset in Allen Fieldhouse. As everyone knows, there's no bigger home-court advantage in college hoops than the Phog. I mean, the Phog whistle is worth a few points alone, right?
Let's dive into the Kansas Jayhawks vs. Oklahoma Sooners odds and make a pick for Saturday's Big 12 college basketball clash.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma and Kansas came into the year with wildly different expectations. People probably saw Oklahoma more likely to be ninth in the Big 12 than ninth in the AP Poll in January.
The Sooners fell short of the NCAA tournament in Porter Moser's first two seasons, but that'll change in his third.
The biggest reason for Oklahoma's strides in Moser's third season? Getting players who play Moser basketball. Naturally, Moser wants five players who are willing defenders, and you aren't getting minutes for the Sooners if you can't defend.
The Sooners rank 12th in Defensive Efficiency, according to KenPom. They fly around on defense with terrific athleticism and always seem on point with their assignments.
Plus, Oklahoma holds opponents to an effective field goal percentage of 44%, which ranks eighth nationally. Teams rarely get easy baskets against this dominant unit.
I'd argue that bringing Jalon Moore from Georgia Tech completely changed the Sooners' outlook. Moore was a fine role player for bad Georgia Tech teams, but he epitomizes the intensity Moser wants from his players. I'd guess Moore or Milos Uzan — another strong defender — draws the assignment on Kevin McCullar Jr.
Offensively, much of Oklahoma's offense goes as point guard Javian McCollum goes. The shifty, jitterbug guard is one of the sport's best pick-and-roll artists. He regularly makes plays happen before the defense can properly react.
The Siena import leads the team with 14.9 points and 4.5 dimes per night. If Oklahoma wins or covers, McCollum's play will be vital.
Moreover, how will Oklahoma defend the 7-foot-2 Hunter Dickinson? Oklahoma doesn't have a dude who matches Dickinson's massive frame, pound-for-pound.
However, the five-man combination of 6-foot-10 John Hugley IV and Sam Godwin will be paramount defensively. Hugley is the typical plodding big, who teams will expose in ball screens leading to triples. The Jayhawks love putting opposing bigs in ball screens with Dajuan Harris Jr. and Dickinson, so Hugley needs to defend better.
Kansas Jayhawks
It's been a shaky past week in Lawrence, as a controversial technical foul vaulted Kansas ahead of TCU before it lost against UCF two days ago.
How will the Jayhawks answer?
Kansas' strength revolves around two veteran All-American candidates — Dickinson and McCullar.
Dickinson is incredible, averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds per game. Everyone thinks Dickinson is Kansas' best player, but I'd argue McCullar is even better. In his super senior year, McCullar ramped up his offense, averaging over 20 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. But most importantly, he's shooting 38% from downtown.
McCullar's shooting answered some questions about Kansas' offense. The Jayhawks are shooting 36% from deep — albeit on limited volume — and McCullar is the main reason for their better-than-advertised mark.
Kansas has typically won games using defense this season. The Jayhawks rank 12th in Defensive Efficiency compared to 42nd in Offensive Efficiency.
Bill Self's litany of versatile defenders propel Kansas to a majority of its wins. McCullar, Harris and K.J. Adams Jr. form the best defensive trio in America.
Oklahoma vs. Kansas
Betting Pick & Prediction
Kansas typically comes out with a different level of intensity in Lawrence. There's a reason Coach Self has one home loss in the past 30 home games.
The place plays a huge role, with the fans and the team's comfort.
I like Oklahoma, but the talent difference in this one is noticeable.
One surprising Big 12 team — BYU — didn't cover at Baylor. Will the second biggest surprise in the Big 12 suffer a similar fate? I think so. Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.
Pick: Kansas -4.5 (Play to -6.5)
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