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.