Houston Cougars vs Kansas Jayhawks Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/03/2024

Game Time: 4:00 pm ET, Saturday, February 3, 2024

Venue:  Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Houston -2.5, Kansas +2.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Houston -2.5, Kansas +2.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Houston -2.5, Kansas +2.5; Over/Under:  133.5 points

Houston Cougars:  19-2 (6-2) (1st place, Big 12)

Kansas Jayhawks:  17-4 (5-3) (4th place, Big 12)

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Houston Cougars:  5-0  last 5

Kansas Jayhawks:  3-2  last 5

Houston is entering this game with a 19-2 record overall, a 6-2 record in conference games, and they are 3-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Texas Longhorns in their last game. Jamal Shead led the team in points per game in that game with 25 while LJ Cryer and J'wan Roberts each were next on the team with 14. Jamal Shead led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Jamal Shead, Emanuel Sharp, J'wan Roberts, and Ja'Vier Francis each led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 41.2% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 52.9 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 11-9-1 this season and their O/U record is 7-14.

Kansas is entering this game with a 17-4 record overall, a 5-3 conference record, and they are 11-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their last game. KJ Adams Jr. and Hunter Dickinson each led the team in points in that game with 16 while Dajuan Harris Jr. was next on the team with 12. Dajuan Harris Jr. led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Hunter Dickinson led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 57.6% from the field, 44.4% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 79.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.6 PPG against them. Kansas has an ATS record of 9-11-1 this season and their O/U record is 10-11.

The current betting odds have Kansas listed as a 2.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Kansas has looked really good in their games this season with their 17-4 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country. They have struggled a bit more in the Big 12 with their 5-3 conference record but they are still near the top of the conference right now and looking to climb it even more. They have also looked great on their home court all season with their 11-0 home record. Meanwhile, Houston has also looked really good in their games this season with their 19-2 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country and ranked as one of the best teams in the nation right now. They are at the top of the Big 12 with their 6-2 conference record, but their road games have been where they have struggled more this season with their 3-2 road record. Houston has looked really good in their games lately too, going 5-0 in their last 5 while Kansas is only 3-2, but Kansas is still ranked inside the top 10 teams in the country and will be looking to prove why they should be ranked higher than Houston. Kansas will bring their best effort in this game to knock Houston down and show that the Big 12 is still their conference to win. The best way to place a bet here is on Kansas to cover the spread in this game. 

Houston Kansas Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, February 3, 2024 (4:00 pm ET start time) is Kansas 82 Houston 78.

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Houston Cougars: 20-8 ATS off a no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite. 9-2 ATS after a win by 6 points or less. 25-12 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread. 14-7 UNDER in all games. 14-7 UNDER as a favorite. 12-6 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive wins.

Kansas Jayhawks: 1-7 ATS after scoring 80 points or more. 5-9 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins. 5-11 ATS after a game with 5 or less offensive rebounds. 58-33 UNDER as an underdog. 8-2 UNDER after 2 straight games forcing the opponent to commit 11 or less turnovers.

Houston Cougars:  T. Arceneaux (G) out for season - Achilles.

Kansas Jayhawks:  K. McCullar Jr. (G) Prob Sat - Knee.

“We’re not really trying to be the prettiest team. That’s never been my deal. We're just trying to win the game.” - Kelvin Sampson after his team’s win against Texas in their last game on Monday.

“It was good not to have to stress as much. We played well. Offensively, we were able to move the ball. We got the shots we wanted and we shared it. Our shot distribution was good. Marko (Elmarko Jackson) saw a couple go down, so there were a lot of good things offensively.” - Bill Self after his team’s win against OK State in their last game on Tuesday.

L. Cryer 

J. Francis 

J. Roberts 

E. Sharp 

J. Shead

K. Adams 

H. Dickinson 

D. Harris 

E. Jackson 

K. McCullar

PPG: L. Cryer (15.1)

APG: J. Shead (5.8)

Reb/G: J. Roberts (7.1)

PPG: C. McCarthy (34)

APG: D. Harris Jr. (6.9)

Reb/G: H. Dickinson (11.2)

Coaches:

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (10th season)

Kansas Jayhawks: Bill Self (21st season)