The No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks (19-3, 8-1 Big 12) visit Frank Erwin Center to take on the No. 20 Texas Longhorns (17-6, 6-4) Monday. Tip-off is slated for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Kansas vs. Texas odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
This Big 12 battle is the premier Monday night ESPN matchup. Kansas is no stranger to big games, recently defeating 10th-ranked Baylor 83-59 at home Saturday. Kansas did lose to now-No. 4 Kentucky in a non-conference home game 80-62 Jan. 29, its only loss in the last 8 games.
The Jayhawks are 8-2 straight up (SU) in their last 10 games but covered the spread just 4 times in that span. Kansas is 10-11-1 against the spread (ATS) overall, including 4-5 ATS in conference matchups. G Ochai Agbaji leads the Jayhawks in scoring with 20.8 points per game (PPG).
Texas features the country’s No. 1 defense, allowing 54.9 PPG. The Longhorns are 14-1 SU at home and 10-13 ATS overall this season. They are 5-5 ATS in conference play. F Timmy Allen (11.2 PPG) and G Marcus Carr (11.1 PPG) lead Texas in scoring.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Kansas at Texas odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:39 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Kansas -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Texas +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread: Kansas -1.5 (-110) | Texas +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Kansas at Texas odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas 66, Kansas 63
Money line
BET TEXAS (+105).
The Longhorns have been virtually unbeatable at home.
They’re 14-1 on their home court, having only lost to Kansas State by 1 (66-65) Jan. 18. The Longhorns shot just 23.5% (4-for-17) from deep in that matchup. They’re coming off a 22-point win (63-41) over then No. 22 Iowa State Saturday, a week after taking down No. 18 Tennessee 52-51.
Given that Agbaji is Kansas’ go-to threat and Texas has the best defensive backcourt in the NCAA, the Longhorns should be able to limit the superstar guard.
Kansas is 3-1 on the road over its past 4, all Big 12 matchups, with two of the wins by just 3 point each. This is going to be a close, hard-fought battle, one that should result in the home side coming out on top.
Against the spread
LEAN to TEXAS +1.5 (-110).
As noted, Kansas has been playing games close. This game should be no different.
While Texas is just 1-5 ATS against ranked opponents, Kansas hasn’t fared much better at 2-4 ATS against ranked opponents.
I’ll take the home side in this battle.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 131.5 (-107).
As mentioned, the Longhorns are holding opponents to 54.9 PPG. Kansas averages 80.2 PPG to rank 19th in the NCAA, but on the road, in a raucous environment, that number should slip.
Texas is 9-14 O/U overall and 4-11 O/U at home. Kansas is 13-9 O/U but just 2-4 O/U against ranked opponents.
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