TCU hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 1998 but is in good shape for an at-large bid. It would all but lock one down, however, with an upset at No. 10 Kansas on Tuesday night. KU had lost just three total games at home over the past five years but has dropped three already this year at Allen Fieldhouse. Who is the top college basketball betting pick for Tuesday night?
Kansas is 81-11 following a loss in the Bill Self era, which began in 2003-04. Since 2013-14, KU is 31-3 following a loss. Kansas ranks in the top three in the Big 12 in scoring (third at 83.0), scoring margin (third at +12.6, 18th nationally), field goal percentage (second at 49.5, 17th nationally), 3-point field goal percentage (second at 40.7, 17th nationally), 3-point field goal percentage defense (second at 31.8), assists (second at 17.6, 12th nationally), assist-to-turnover ratio (second at 1.5, 13th nationally) and 3-point field goals made per game (second at 10.5, 17th nationally).
Self is making a change for Tuesday as sophomore forward Mitch Lightfoot will take over for junior guard Lagerald Vick in a move Self described as “long term.” Self admitted it might be risky, because of foul trouble, to start two big men in Lightfoot and center Azubuike at the same time, but he indicated he needed Lightfoot’s energy on the floor.
TCU at Kansas College Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction
When: Tuesday, 9 PM ET Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas TV: ESPN2 Stream: WatchESPN Radio: WBAP 820-AM (TCU) / Jayhawk IMG Radio Network (Kansas) Opening College Basketball Betting Odds: Kansas -7.5FW ✈️ LK#GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/LWigYKjCFS
— TCU Basketball (@TCUBasketball) February 5, 2018
First Meeting
TCU hosted Kansas on Jan. 8 and lost 88-84. Jayhawks star Devonte Graham scored 28 points, including eight straight free throws in the final 2:02. Svi Mykhailiuk added 20 points for Kansas, which was coming off a home loss to Texas Tech and avoided its first 1-2 conference mark since 1990-91. Udoka Azubuike had 14 points, but played only 13 minutes before fouling out. Vladimir Brodziansky had eight straight points for TCU to tie the game at 77-all before freshman Marcus Garrett’s two tiebreaking free throws put the Jayhawks ahead to stay with 3 minutes left. Brodziansky led TCU with 20 points, while Jaylen Fisher had 18 points and Desmond Bane 13 before fouling out. Kenrich Williams had 11 points and 11 rebounds. It was the first meeting between the schools since TCU upset the then-No. 1 Jayhawks in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Tournament last March. Kansas is 15-2 all-time against TCU, including a 6-0 record in Lawrence with all six meetings coming in Allen Fieldhouse.Why Bet on TCU?
The Frogs (16-7, 4-6 Big 12) were 12-0 entering Big 12 play but haven’t won back-to-back games since. They are off a loss Saturday vs. No. 10 Texas Tech, 73-71. The Red Raiders led 48-24 at halftime and it was already over. Brodziansky led TCU with 18 points. He also had three blocks against the Red Raiders. He is 10 blocks away from tying Kurt Thomas for No. 3 on TCU’s career blocked shots list with 166. Desmond Bane had 13 points and Kenrich Williams had 12 points and 13 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season and the 31st of his career. TCU beat Texas Tech on the boards, 31-27. The Frogs have outrebounded their opponents in 19 of 23 games this season. The Frogs dropped to 14-5 this season when outrebounding its opponent. TCU is 36-10 when outrebounding its opponent under Jamie Dixon. The Horned Frogs have alternated wins and losses for three straight weeks since starting point guard Jaylen Fisher’s season-ending left knee injury. Their first six losses had been by a combined 19 points, an average of 3.2 per game. The Frogs are 1-3 against top 10 teams. Their win was an 82-73 victory over No. 7 West Virginia on Jan. 22. TCU has never defeated two top 10 teams or three top 25 teams in the same season. TCU is looking for its first win over a ranked team on the road since Jan. 19, 1998 at No. 24 Hawaii. TCU is 2-3 in Big 12 road games this season. It is 3-0 on Tuesdays this season and 7-0 on Tuesdays under Jamie Dixon. TCU ranks among the national leaders in assist turnover ratio (11th, 1.53), field goal percentage (11th, 50.4), rebounding margin (15th, +7.2), scoring (9th, 85.8) and 3-point percentage (13th, 41.2).Why Bet on Kansas?
Kansas (18-4, 6-3) was upset at home by unranked Oklahoma State on Saturday, 84-79. The Cowboys built an 18-point first-half lead and dominated the boards in ending their three-game losing streak. It was the third loss for the Jayhawks in the Phog this season, their most since the 1998-99 season. It was also their second home loss in league play. Azubuike had 20 points and Graham and Mykhailiuk scored 17 apiece for Kansas, which was celebrating 120 years of basketball by welcoming back dozens of former players and coaches. Azubuike leads the NCAA in field goal percentage at 76.2 percent. He is the only player to have a 70 percent or better field goal percentage with a minimum of five made shots per game. Eight of Kansas’ 10 conference games this season have been decided by six points or less with the Jayhawks going 6-2 in those battles. Stretching back to last season, Kansas has played 19 Big 12 games that were decided by seven points or less. Kansas is 16-3 in those outcomes.
Kansas is 81-11 following a loss in the Bill Self era, which began in 2003-04. Since 2013-14, KU is 31-3 following a loss. Kansas ranks in the top three in the Big 12 in scoring (third at 83.0), scoring margin (third at +12.6, 18th nationally), field goal percentage (second at 49.5, 17th nationally), 3-point field goal percentage (second at 40.7, 17th nationally), 3-point field goal percentage defense (second at 31.8), assists (second at 17.6, 12th nationally), assist-to-turnover ratio (second at 1.5, 13th nationally) and 3-point field goals made per game (second at 10.5, 17th nationally).
Self is making a change for Tuesday as sophomore forward Mitch Lightfoot will take over for junior guard Lagerald Vick in a move Self described as “long term.” Self admitted it might be risky, because of foul trouble, to start two big men in Lightfoot and center Azubuike at the same time, but he indicated he needed Lightfoot’s energy on the floor.
Latest College Basketball Betting Trends
- TCU is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
- TCU is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
- The total has gone OVER in 9 of TCU’s last 11 games
- Kansas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Kansas is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas’s last 7 games
