by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Mar 11, 2023
Big 12 Championship
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Venue: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Where to watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Kansas -1.5
BetMGM: Kansas -1.5
Caesars: Kansas -1.5
Season record
No. 7 Texas: 25-8
No. 3 Kansas: 27-6
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Texas - Kansas preview, prediction and analysis
On March 11, 2023, the Kansas Jayhawks and Texas Longhorns will face off in the Big 12 Championship game at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Both teams have had successful seasons so far and will be looking to capture the conference title.
The top-seeded Jayhawks and defending national champions have handled business fine through their first two games of the tournament, winning by 17 against West Virginia and following that with a 13-point win over Iowa State in the semifinals. Jalen Wilson did his usual deal with 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Jayhawks shot 52 percent from the floor. Kansas, without coach Bill Self due to a medical condition, was able to get the job done.
“It was great to talk to him, hear his voice,” Wilson said of Self, who went to the hospital Wednesday night and is out for the tournament. “He was super proud of how we did last game and I’m sure he’ll be proud of us this game.”
The Longhorns are coming off a 66-60 win over TCU in a hotly-contested semifinals matchup. Dylan Disu scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds to survive against TCU.
“They're a really well-coached team. A lot of good players,” Texas forward Christian Bishop said after scoring 15 points of his own. “It's always a great opportunity to play against a team like that. That's why I came to Texas in the first place.”
In order to win the Big 12 Championship, the Jayhawks will need to continue playing to their strengths and relying on their defense to limit the Longhorns' offense. They will also need their star players, primarily Wilson, to have strong performances and lead the way on offense.
For the Longhorns, they will need to find a way to crack the Jayhawks' tough defense and take advantage of their scoring opportunities. They will also need their supporting cast to step up and contribute alongside Coleman and Sims.
This game is expected to be a closely contested battle between two talented teams that are both capable of winning the conference title. The Jayhawks will be looking to continue their dominance in the Big 12 and add another trophy to their collection, while the Longhorns will be looking to pull off the upset and capture their first Big 12 Championship since 2011.
Overall, fans can expect an exciting and intense matchup between the Jayhawks and Longhorns as they battle it out for the Big 12 Championship. With so much talent on both sides of the court, this game is sure to be a must-watch for college basketball fans.
Prediction
This has been a weird season for the Big 12, and anyone could've won this conference. Somehow, we've still gotten to the point of these two being the last two standing. And there's something to be said about winning for your coach. Kansas gets it done. Kansas 78, Texas 74
Prediction
This has been a weird season for the Big 12, and anyone could've won this conference. Somehow, we've still gotten to the point of these two being the last two standing. And there's something to be said about winning for your coach. Kansas gets it done. Kansas 78, Texas 74
Projected starting lineup
Texas:
PG: Marcus Carr
SG: Tyrese Hunter
SF: Timmy Allen
PF: Dillon Mitchell
C: Dylan Disu
Kansas:
PG: DaJuan Harris Jr.
SG: Kevin McCullar
SF: K.J. Adams
PF: Jalen Wilson
C: Gradey Dick
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily college basketball projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
