The 2020-21 college basketball season continues with plenty of interesting matchups on Tuesdayโs slate, and the sports bettors will have a bunch of picks and markets to choose from. One of the headliners will take place at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, so I bring you the best betting pick and tips for the Creighton Bluejays versus Kansas Jayhawks showdown.
These two schools will face off against each other for the first time, and the stake is huge, as both rank in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 Poll. The No. 9 Bluejays are 3-0 on the season, while the No. 7 Jayhawks enter Tuesdayโs game with a 4-1 record.
The Bluejays met some weak rivals in the first two weeks
The Creighton Bluejays are undefeated after the first two weeks of the season, but they beat some mediocre teams. After failing to cover a 23.5-point spread in a 69-58 home victory over North Dakota State, the Bluejays outlasted Omaha 94-67 as 21.5-point home favorites and Kennesaw State 93-58 as 37.5-point home favorites.
The Bluejays score 112.5 points per 100 possessions (6th in the country) while making 51.9% of their field goals (24th). They surrender 91.5 points in a return (50th) on 37.2% shooting from the field (54th).
Thanks to their weak schedule, the Bluejays have six players who average points in double figures. Keep your eyes on Marcus Zegarowski, as the junior guard is posting 12.3 points and 7.0 assists per game, while junior forward Christian Bishop is tallying 15.0 points and 5.3 boards per contest.
The Jayhawks search for their fifth straight win
After a 102-90 defeat to the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the opener, the Kansas Jayhawks have recorded four straight wins including a 65-62 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats at the neutral site. In their previous two showings, the Jayhawks outlasted Washburn 89-54 and North Dakota State 65-61 on the home court.
Kansas is scoring 109.2 points per 100 possessions (21st in the nation), shooting 44.6% from the field (138th). The Jayhawks are yielding only 86.8 points in a return (4th) on 41.5% shooting from the field (135th).
Junior guard Ochai Agbaji leads the way for Kansas with 16.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Freshman forward Jalen Wilson tallies 15.0 points and 8.8 rebounds a night, while senior guard Marcus Garrett adds 9.2 points and 3.0 assists per game.
Trends:
Creighton:
- N/A
Kansas:
- 18-11 ATS in the last 29 games overall
[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”ncaab/kansas” size=”300×250″ site_id=”atsio” css=”float:right; margin-left:10px”]The Winner Prediction
Interestingly, the Bluejays have won 11 straight games in December, covering nine times in the process. Extending that streak on Kansasโ expense will be a mountain to climb, especially on the road, so Iโm backing the Jayhawks to cover on DraftKings.
This will be a proper reality check for Creighton. The Jayhawks will take on one of the best defensive teams in the country, while their defense hasnโt been spectacular thus far.
On the other side, the Jayhawks have already played Kentucky and Gonzaga. They should be a sharper side in this one, while the Bluejays will hit the road for the first time this term.
Pick: Take Kansas -3.5
The Total:
The over is 7-2 in Kansasโ last nine games at home. The Jayhawks play at a fast pace, averaging 73.3 possessions per 40 minutes (71st in the country), so Iโm backing the over on the totals when they take on Creighton.
Although Kansas leans on its defense, the hosts will look to push the ball in transition whenever they can, and Iโve mentioned that the Bluejaysโ defense is not at the same level as their offense. Creighton averages 72.1 possessions per 40 minutes (156th), and the over is 4-2 in the Bluejaysโ previous six games overall.
Pick: Go overย 148