Texas vs Kansas Basketball Prediction & Picks: Jayhawks look to tighten up Big 12 title race

Despite having four conference losses to their name already, the Kansas Jayhawks still have a real chance to win yet another Big 12 regular season title. But a win over rival Texas tonight is an absolute must for the reigning national champions, who welcome the Longhorns to Allen Fieldhouse tonight (9:00 pm ET/8:00 pm CT, ESPN).

The Jayhawks (18-5, 6-4 Big 12) have dropped four of their last five conference games since starting Big 12 play with five straight wins, with the most recent setback an ugly 69-53 loss at Iowa State on Saturday.

Entering tonight, they sit two games back of Texas (19-4, 8-2 Big 12), who is alone in first atop the conference standings after beating Baylor at home and Kansas State on the road last week.

A win over the ‘Horns would be a big help for the Jayhawks and for Iowa State (16-6, 7-3), Baylor (17-6, 6-4), Kansas State (18-5, 6-4), and TCU (17-6, 6-4).

But will KU come through with a big home win tonight? Read on for our Texas vs Kansas prediction, as well as our picks for tonight’s Longhorns vs Jayhawks matchup.

Texas vs Kansas Odds

Odds are via Bovada Sportsbook as of Monday, February 6, 2023, at 5:55 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Texas +4 (-110)
• Kansas -4 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 146 (-110)
• Under 146 (-110)

Moneyline

• Texas +152
• Kansas -180

Will Lawrence Continue to Be a Town of Terrors for Texas?

Last week was a huge week for both Texas and for interim head coach Rodney Terry. After defeating Baylor 76-71 at home last Monday, the Longhorns went into Manhattan, Kansas on Saturday and left with a 69-66 win over Kansas State.

With each big win, the Big 12 title and a high NCAA Tournament seed come more and more into focus for the Longhorns, and it becomes harder to keep the interim tag on Terry, who was formerly the head coach at Fresno State and UTEP before taking an assistant job at Texas in 2021.

Last season, the Longhorns had four wins and five losses on the road in Big 12 play. This season, they have already matched that win total in just five games.

Also, after going 0-6 on the road against ranked teams last season and dropping their first two such games this season, Saturday’s win in Manhattan was the program’s first road win over a ranked team since a 69-65 win at #16 Oklahoma on March 4, 2021.

But can they keep the good vibes going tonight in another hostile atmosphere?

History is certainly not on Texas’s side. In the last 11 meetings at Allen Fieldhouse, the Longhorns’ only win over the Jayhawks came on January 2, 2021, when Texas routed Kansas 84-59.

Last Five Road Games for Texas at Kansas

• March 5, 2022: Kansas 70, Texas 63 (OT)
• January 2, 2021: Texas 84, Kansas 59
• January 14, 2019: Kansas 80, Texas 78
• February 26, 2018: Kansas 80, Texas 70
• January 21, 2017: Kansas 79, Texas 67

That Kansas team went on to lose six games in Big 12 play, and there’s a good chance that this Kansas team may as well, with road games at TCU and Texas and a home game against Baylor still to come, in addition to tricky trips to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

But other than a rather uncharacteristic 23-point loss to TCU, the Jayhawks have been excellent at home. This season, KU has three home wins over ranked teams, with the most recent one coming last week against Kansas State, when they lit up the Wildcats for 90 points in a 12-point win.

Texas vs Kansas Prediction and Picks

Longhorns vs Jayhawks Prediction: Kansas to win

Longhorns vs Jayhawks Picks: Kansas -4 (Best Value: Bovada Sportsbook) & Kansas team total over 75.5 (Best Value: BetOnline)

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