NFL Show
No. 6 Kansas (8-1 SU, 3-6 ATS) faces unranked Missouri (9-0 SU, 5-4 ATS) from Columbia in the Border War on Saturday at 5:15pmET.
Last season, KU destroyed the Tigers 102-65 from Lawrence to renew a series that hadn't been played since 2012, when both schools were in the Big 12.
Bill Self probably knew there would be some bumps in the road after winning the NCAA title last season. Kansas returned two starters from a 34-6 team and this season, has just one loss (Tennesse on Nov. 25). They needed overtime to beat Wisconsin by one on Nov. 24 and did beat Duke on Nov. 14, covering as a one-point dog. But in their last game on Dec. 1, they destroyed Seton Hall 91-65 as an 11-point favorite at home. Kevin McCullard scored 17 points and grabbed 10 boards after missing one game. Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick contributed 15 points apiece, while Wilson led all rebounders with 13. The Jayhawks shot an impressive 57% from the floor and held the Pirates to just 21% (4-19) shooting from long range. They also outrebounded the Hall by 10 and forced 16 turnovers.
T-minus four days til our next game, so we're looking back at our favorite moments so fa r this season!
#2: @kj_atx's and 1 to seal our victory over Duke ?? pic.twitter.com/kuE1V7QNFZ
— Kansas Men's Basketball (@KUHoops) December 6, 2022
The key for Kansas to win another Big 12 title and get back to the Final Four would be health. Forward Cam Martin (shoulder) and guard Bobby Pettiford (groin) should be available for this game against Missouri. Martin (6-9, 230) has played just one game after transferring in from Jacksonville State. Pettiford, a 6-1 guard has played in seven games and is averaging 15.7 minutes per game and 3.0 points.
As usual, Kansas has a great amount of talent even if their bench has been impacted by injuries. Wilson (6-8, 225) leads the Jayhawks with 21.9 points per game on 42.5% shooting and 35.7% from beyond the arc. Kansas is strong defensively, allowing just 65.4 points per game on 39.1% shooting (46th) and 29.1% from beyond the arc (57th). Offensively, they are averaging 77.7 points per game on 47% shooting (35.8% 3pt). However, they are shooting just 65.4% (305th) from the free-throw line.
The Net Rankings just came out on Monday and KU ranks just 16th because they have not played a true road game yet. This will be their first so a win can help their rating since that's a lot more important than an AP Poll.