The Texas Longhorns square off against the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 championship game Saturday in Kansas City. Read on for our best Texas vs. Kansas college basketball picks based on the top NCAAB odds.
The top two teams in college basketball's best conference meet again. Texas thrashed Kansas, 75-59, in the regular-season finale one week ago, but the top-seeded Jayhawks can validate their outright Big 12 crown by winning the tournament in Kansas City for the second year in a row.
Both teams are shorthanded entering a third game in as many days. Texas forward Timmy Allen, who has yet to play in the Big 12 tourney, is out again with a leg injury. Kevin McCullar Jr., KU's primary defender, left Friday's semifinal matchup early in the second half with back spasms. Kansas head coach Bill Self remains hospitalized, and Norm Roberts continues to se rve as acting head coach.
After splitting the regular-season series with two games that weren't particularly close, Kansas (27-6) is a short favorite over Texas (25-8) ahead of Saturday's rubber match. So who has the opportunity to cut down some nets?
Here is our best Texas vs. Kansas college basketball pick (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Texas vs. Kansas odds
Texas vs. Kansas prediction
I don't feel confident taking a side for this game. Texas should win, assuming McCullar can't go, as the Longhorns can exploit the Jayhawks on the defensive end without him. However, KU plays for Self this weekend and aims for the NCAA Tournament's No. 1 overall seed.
Bet on Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson and his willingness t o do what it takes to win. The senior mentioned how important it is for the Hawks to land in the Midwest Region, so they can potentially return to KC for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, and he's certainly played like a man possessed this weekend.
Wilson started the Big 12 quarterfinal 1-for-7 from the floor, but went nuclear ever since. He had a game-high 22 points in a win over West Virginia before hitting his first four shots during Friday's semifinal. Wilson finished with 25 points in a win over Iowa State, and went 17-of-31 from the floor in two Big 12 tourney games.
The Big 12 Player of the Year recorded four consecutive games of 21-plus points, including a 23-point effort against Texas last Saturday. Wilson, who averages 20 points per game, will have his way against an Allen-less Texas frontcourt this time around.
According to Bart Torvik, Wilson had a usage rating of 31 or hi gher in three of his last four contests and should continue to be a focal point of KU's offensive attack. The Jayhawks have no chance of winning the game without him.
Texas vs. Kansas best odds
| DraftKings | FanDuel | Caesars |
| Over 18.5 points | Over 18.5 points | Over 18.5 points |
| -120 | -128 | -131 |
Of our five major sportsbooks, only three listed player props for this matchup. DraftKings has the best price with a -120 value on the Over. It's the same line ahead of Friday's Iowa State game, when Wilson opened the game by making his four shots within five minutes.
I would play this Over up to -135 on this line of 18.5 before bumping it down to a three-star play. But it's playable up to 19.5 points, as Wilson is primed for another 20-piece against the Longhorns.
Texas vs. Kansas odds analysis
Lines are generally pretty efficient during championship weekend, particularly between two powerhouse programs like Texas and Kansas. So it's no surprise there's been little movement on the side and total for this game thus far.
Kansas is currently favored by 2 a fter laying -1.5 when betting lines first opened. BetMGM offers the best price on the underdog, with a 2.5-point spread juiced to -115 for Texas. My buy point on the Longhorns is +3 (-110), similar to when I backed the Jayhawks in the regular-season finale at that price. This is truly a coin-flip game.
As for the total, the market settled on 142 or 142.5 after opening as high as 143. The line dropped as low as 141 at one point, but bettors favor offense even though it's the third game in as many days for both squads.
Both teams are 16-17 against the spread so far this season. Kansas is 17-16 to the Under, while Texas is 16-15-2 to the Over.
Texas vs. Kansas game info
- Date: Saturday, March 11, 6 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Mo.
Texas-Kansas pick made 3/11/2 023 at 10:53 a.m. ET.
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