College Basketball: Kansas at Nebraska – Kansas Favored
77% of Bets Placed on Kansas -6.5 | Matchup | CBB Picks
Kansas appears set to complete an easy three-game stretch Monday when it faces Nebraska. The Cornhuskers, though, haven’t been very kind of late to ranked teams in Lincoln.
Oddsmakers have made Kansas -6.5 point spread favorites (College Basketball Odds) for todays game, the over/under has been set at 130 total points (View College Basketball Sports Books).
The eighth-ranked Jayhawks (18-3, 5-1) look to continue their dominance over the Cornhuskers (12-7, 1-4) when the Big 12 rivals meet at the Devaney Center.
Since suffering its first league loss to Texas Tech on Jan. 20, Kansas has coasted to wins over Baylor and Colorado – the two worst teams in the Big 12.
Although Nebraska is 10th in the conference, it should provide a much stiffer challenge for Kansas.
The Huskers won their first nine home games this season before a 62-61 loss to Texas on Wednesday. Nebraska defeated its only Top 25 opponent of the season, beating then-No. 20 Creighton 73-61 on Nov. 18, and has won three straight home games against ranked teams.
Kansas, though, has dominated the series with Nebraska that dates to 1900, winning six straight and 15 of the last 16 meetings. The Huskers haven’t beaten the Jayhawks since a 74-55 victory on Feb. 15, 2004.
Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers each scored 21 points Saturday as Kansas pulled away from Colorado for its 35th win in 36 matchups with the Buffaloes.
"I don’t know if I’d ever say that Colorado’s talent level has been as good as Kansas’ talent level in those respective years," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "But certainly that’s a remarkable streak, considering there’s been that much success away from home."
Kansas, winner of 12 of its last 13, turned in another strong defensive performance Saturday.
The Jayhawks forced at least 20 turnovers for the seventh time this season and held their 27th straight opponent to under 50 percent shooting. Kansas is shooting 48.9 percent from the field while limiting the opposition to 37.5 – second-best in the conference.
A balanced attack has also been key to Kansas’ success. Six players have led or tied for the team lead in scoring, assists and steals in a game, while seven players have done the same in rebounds and blocks.
Rush managed only 10 points on 4-of-14 from the field in the loss to Texas Tech, but has averaged 19.5 points on 15-of-26 shooting in his last two games.
Nebraska was held to a season-low 20 first-half points en route to its fourth defeat in five games Saturday, 61-45 at Kansas State.
Junior center Aleks Maric was the only Husker in double figures with 10 points – eight below his team-leading average.
"They switched it up a lot," Maric said. "They doubled, they pressured. Every possession was different and it was hard to get accustomed to that, but I’ve still got to produce. That’s just not enough."
Maric figures to have his hands full Monday as he tries to get his first win in six career games against Kansas. He’s averaged only 8.8 points on 31.9 percent (15-of-47) from the floor in the first five meetings.
by: Marc Young – theSpread.com – Email Us
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