Cincinnati at Kansas Prediction: Both Teams Off Loses
Jayhawks Big Favorites at Home
The Cincinnati Bearcats visit No. 3 Kansas on Monday, with both teams coming off Big 12 Conference losses. This is the first time Kansas is playing a team not in the college basketball rankings after a loss. The Bearcats are 2-3 in conference play, with the three setbacks by a combined eight points.
With Cincinnati just moving into the Big 12 Conference, this is the first trip to Kansas for the Bearcats since 1967. The Cincinnati vs Kansas prediction shows the Jayhawks are favored by 9 (-115), and the total on the game is 145.5.
Bearcats vs Jayhawks 
Day/Time:
Location: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Bearcats Holding Own in Conference Play
Cincinnati is just 2-3 in Big 12 play, but the Bearcats haven’t played poorly. The Bearcats are 3-2 against the spread in conference play and haven’t lost by more than four points.
Cincinnati is 2-3 straight-up and against the spread on the road. The Bearcats’ worst loss this season was an 82-68 game against Dayton, where the Flyers had a 28-8 free throw advantage.
Cincinnati’s offense is average at best. The Bearcats rolled up some points against a weak non-conference schedule. But it’s been a lot tougher to score in conference games. Cincinnati averages 78.7 points per game and 69.8 in conference games.
The Bearcats shoot 45.3% from the field and are a little better than average from 2- and 3-point range. Cincinnati is a poor foul-shooting team, but they are solid on the offensive glass and keep turnovers to a minimum.
On defense, Cincinnati is solid, allowing 41% shooting and are one of the best in the country at preventing offensive rebounds. The Bearcats are average at forcing turnovers and can block some shots.
Big 12 teams have hit a few 3-pointers against the Bearcats, but they’re decent overall. The KenPom ratings have Cincinnati No. 3 in the conference in defensive efficiency ratings.
Kansas Knows How to Bounce Back
The Jayhawks are 115-18 after a loss under coach Bill Self and have covered the last six games after a setback. Dating back to 2012, the Jayhawks are 43-25-3 against the spread after a loss. So, the Bearcats will have their work cut out for them. Kansas is 9-0 at home on the NCAA basketball season, but just 4-4 against the spread.
The Jayhawks are solid offensively, scoring 79.5 points per game on 51% shooting. Kansas is shooting 36.4% on 3-pointers for the season, but that has dropped to 31.3% in conference play.
But Kansas has shot 61.1% from 2-point range in Big 12 contests. So the shots are falling, just not from the outside. The Jayhawks are pretty average in turnovers and grabbing offensive rebounds.
Kansas’ defense has let the team down a bit in conference play. The Jayhawks allow 73.8 points per game in Big 12 action and 67.7 points overall. The NCAAB stats show Kansas holds teams to 39.8% from the field but is allowing 37.9% from 3-point range in conference play. The Jayhawks have to improve on that as the season goes on.
What to Expect
The Bearcats play at a decent tempo, but may look to slow it down a shade in this one. A fast-paced game will likely favor Kansas and get the crowd into things. If the Bearcats can keep it a half-court game, it works to their advantage.
The Cincinnati vs Kansas prediction expects the Jayhawks to come out looking to make amends for last NCAAB game, which was a 91-85 loss at West Virginia. It was the team’s worst defensive effort of the season.
The Jayhawks were out-rebounded 31-22 and allowed the Mountaineers to make 12 of 21 3-pointers. You have to believe Kansas will pay a little more attention to the defensive side of things.
Who to Bet On?
You can make an argument for both teams as far as the side wager goes. Cincinnati has been playing teams tough. But it’s hard to go against Kansas after a loss. The Jayhawks have knocked off Tennessee and Oklahoma after losses already this season. Plus, Kansas is extremely tough at home, where it outscores teams by 16.7 points per game.
The Cincinnati vs Kansas prediction on the total is a tough call. Cincinnati has been playing pretty well defensively, but Kansas has not. Although the Jayhawks should be a little more focused on stopping Cincinnati tonight. The number is a little low, considering Kansas is 4-1 in Big 12 Conference totals, but the under makes more sense than the over in this one.
For NCAAB betting news, NCAA basketball odds, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
