Big 12 Preview: Kansas Hosts Oklahoma State
A Big 12 Conference showdown takes place in the nation’s breadbasket on Monday, when the No. 6 ranked Kansas Jayhawks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
The current line has Kansas favored by 15 points and the over/under point total has yet to be released.
Oklahoma State enters this game with an overall record of 12-13 straight up and 13-9 against the spread. On the road, the Cowboys are 1-6 SU and 3-4 ATS.
Kansas on the season is 21-4 SU and 15-8 ATS. At home, the Jayhawks are a perfect 13-0 SU and 7-4 ATS.
Over the past 11 seasons, Kansas has either won or shared the regular season Big 12 title and its past two wins are why it looks as if No. 12 in row is more and more likely. In its past 2 games, Kansas has knocked off both West Virginia and Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State beat Kansas earlier in the season but is next to last currently in the standings of the Big 12. However, on January 19, the Cowboys shocked Kansas with an 86-67 win. In that game, Jawun Evans was the higher scorer with 22 points, while handing out 8 assists and grabbing 6 boards.
Devonte Graham scored 27 points, a career high, for Kansas on Saturday in its victory over Oklahoma. The Jayhawks guard defended Buddy Hield, a national player of the year candidate, very well in Saturday’s victory.
Oklahoma State beat Kansas State on Saturday 58-55 in overtime. The Cowboys won despite poor shooting overall at 34% and from the 3-point line hitting only 10 of 33.
The Cowboys have been without Phil Forte for a number of months and Evans appears to be sidelined for the remainder of this season as well. Leyton Hammonds will now carry most of the offensive load for the Cowboys.
Last Tuesday, Kansas beat West Virginia at home by 10 points and completed a sweep of its two-game series with Oklahoma on the road with a four-point win on Saturday.
Helping Graham in that game was Frank Mason III with 14 points, while Perry Ellis scored 10.
Three of the four losses this season by Kansas have been by 10 or more points.
Kansas is 18-1 over its past 19 games played at home versus Oklahoma State.
Prediction: Kansas is on a role. Coming off a strong win over Oklahoma the Jayhawks will return home and easily cover this matchup against an undermanned Oklahoma State team.
