The No. 6 Kansas Jayhawks (8-1) head to Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo., Saturday to take on the Missouri Tigers (9-0). This border war begins at 5:15 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Kansas vs. Missouri odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
After not facing each other since 2012, Kansas and Missouri rekindled their rivalry (which dates back to the early 1900s) last season. The Jayhawks won 102-65 and covered as 22-point favorites in last year’s matchup.
Kansas most recently beat Seton Hall 91-65, shooting 56.9% overall and 41.2% from the 3-point range. The Jayhawks’ top scorer from that game was Kevin McCullar Jr. with 17 points, while their top scorers this season are Jalen Wilson (21.9 PPG, 1st in the Big 12 and 10th overall) and Gradey Dick (15.3 PPG). Kansas is just 3-6 ATS this season but has covered in its last 2 matchups. The Jayhawks’ lone loss this season came against then-No. 21 ranked Tennessee, losing 64-50 as 2.5-point underdogs.
Mizzou is 1 of just 10 remaining undefeated Division I basketball teams but has yet to be ranked. The Tigers have faced plenty of below-average competition so far this season, though their best victory came in overtime 88-84 against Wichita State. Missouri is averaging 93 points per game, which is No. 1 in Division I. Their top scorers are D’Moi Hodge (16.7 PPG, 5th in the SEC) and Kobe Brown (14.3 PPG). Mizzou is also 5-4 ATS this season, covering 3 of its last 4.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Kansas at Missouri odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kansas -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Missouri +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kansas -3.5 (-110) | Missouri +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Kansas at Missouri picks and predictions
Prediction
Missouri 83, Kansas 80
Moneyline
Mizzou is an attractive play at +135 on its home floor. This game may come down to pure passion and adrenaline. It’s in Columbia so the atmosphere will be hostile toward the Jayhawks, and it’s early in the season with both squads still figuring out their identities. The Tigers might have caught the ‘Hawks at just the right time. TAKE MISSOURI +135.
Against the spread
This is a tough matchup to predict because of Missouri’s schedule against low-level competition. Mizzou is scoring a ton of points and ranks 4th nationally in field-goal percentage (51.6). While in the bottom 80 in points allowed per game (73.8), Mizzou ranks 1st nationally in steals (14.1 per game) and has shown much better discipline with the ball compared to last season.
Kansas has beaten good competition this season with a win over then-No. 8 ranked Duke, but also has a tough loss against an SEC opponent (Tennessee). Kansas also has much more size than Mizzou, which is one of the shortest squads in the country. Combine that with facing the country’s top scorer in Wilson, and Mizzou has its toughest offensive competition by far to square up against. If you’re on board with the upset, just stick to the ML. If you want some insurance, Mizzou should keep it close.
BET MISSOURI +3.5 (-110).
Over/Under
With Mizzou averaging over 90 points per game and Kansas boasting NCAA’s best scorer, this seems like the perfect matchup to take the Over.
BET OVER 154.5 (-110).
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