- Kansas visits No. 4 Houston looking for revenge in a Big 12 battle on Monday at the Fertitta Center
- The Cougars are 9.5-point favorites after beating the Jayhawks in double overtime earlier this season
- Get my Kansas vs Houston predictions, plus player props and best available odds on March 3rd
If it’s anything like the first game, we’re in for a treat when the Kansas Jayhawks (19-10, 13-16 ATS) visit the No. 4 Houston Cougars (25-4, 16-13 ATS) on Monday night in a Big 12 clash at the Fertitta Center at 8:00 pm CT/9:00 pm ET. Houston has won eight in a row and already clinched the Big 12 regular-season title. The Cougars are among the favorites to in the March Madness odds. Below, find my Kansas vs Houston prediction, preview and best odds.
Kansas vs Houston Odds
Interesting how things change. A month ago, Kansas was one-point favorites over the Cougars at home, now Houston is almost 10 point favorites in the rematch.
Odds from FanDuel on March 3rd. Gear up for March Madness with ourbest FanDuel promo code.
Kansas is just 2-5 in their last seven games against the spread. Houston has lost two of its last three against the spread, both times when they were double digit favorites. The margin of victory in Houston’s eight-game win streak is 9.3 points.
The total is locked in at 132.5 everywhere. Kansas is a woeful 9-20 on the total this season. Houston is 14-15. I smell a defensive game tonight.
I see the best moneyline value on Kansas is at Caesars at +430. You can get Houston -500 at BetMGM. That’s about as good as it gets.
Kansas vs Houston Player Props to Target
Hunter Dickinson Over 14.5 at FanDuel (-115)
The 7-1 center has become the Jayhawks primary offensive weapon. He comes into Monday night averaging 16.9 a game, which automatically makes me like the over. He’s also been over 14.5 in each of his last three games. Will Houston try to lock him up? Of course. I think they’ll have some success, but not enough to get him under 14.5.
LJ Cryer Under 15.5 at FanDuel (-100)
Cryer is among the best players in the country. He’s been over this total in three of his last four games, but he also can step back and be a facilitator for the Cougars. His numbers for the first game are skewed because of the double OT. I think Cryer is going to be more of a pass-first player tonight.
Jayhawks Season Took a Turn After Earlier Loss to Cougars
It’s pretty clear where the season pivoted for both teams. In the first game at Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas led 79-76 with 7.5 seconds left and just had to inbound the ball. Instead, they threw it away. Mylik Wilson sank a three for Houston to force double OT and the Cougars closed things out.
Since that game, Kansas is only 5-5. Houston is 8-1.
Kansas is pretty much locked into the sixth seed in the Big 12 tournament next week in Kansas City. Houston is the top cat.
Kansas vs Houston Predictions
- Houston -9.5 at FanDuel
- Over 132.5 at FanDuel
It’s obvious Kansas just hasn’t been the same since the loss to Houston. They’re also coming off a 78-73 loss to Texas Tech when they were outscored 45-12 from three-point range. Kansas is a good team. They’re still in the NCAA Tournament, but they don’t have the inside-out balance that makes a team elite.
Houston does. The Cougars have great guard play from Cryer and Emanuel Sharp. The lead the Big 12 in three-point shooting and rebounding and give up just 59.7 points a game. I originally was feeling the over, but the spread makes it hard to believe, like can Houston beat Kansas 70-60? Because that’s what you would need to hit the parlay. I think this more looks like an 75-65 type of game for the Cougars.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Houston Cougars on March 3rd is sure to be a thrilling game for college basketball fans. Both teams are coming off impressive wins and will be looking to continue their momentum in this crucial game.
When it comes to predictions for this game, it’s important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each team. The Jayhawks have been playing some of their best basketball of the season, with standout performances from players like Ochai Agbaji and David McCormack. Their strong defense and ability to score in transition will be key factors in this game.
On the other hand, the Cougars have been dominant on both ends of the court, with a stifling defense that ranks among the best in the country. Players like Quentin Grimes and Marcus Sasser have been leading the way for Houston, and their ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc will be crucial in this matchup.
When it comes to player props, keep an eye on Ochai Agbaji for Kansas. The junior guard has been on fire recently, averaging over 20 points per game in his last five outings. Look for him to continue his scoring streak and potentially hit the over on his points total for this game.
For Houston, Quentin Grimes is a player to watch. The junior guard has been a consistent scorer for the Cougars all season, averaging over 17 points per game. He has the ability to take over games with his scoring ability, so look for him to have a big impact on this game.
As for the best odds for this game, sportsbooks are currently favoring Kansas by a slim margin. The Jayhawks are listed as slight favorites, but with both teams playing at a high level, this game could go either way. Bettors may want to consider taking the underdog in this matchup, as the Cougars have proven themselves to be a tough team to beat.
Overall, the Kansas vs Houston game on March 3rd is shaping up to be a must-watch showdown between two top-tier college basketball teams. With predictions, player props, and best odds all pointing to a close and competitive game, fans can expect an exciting battle on the hardwood.