KU basketball game prediction: Are Bill Self’s Jayhawks due for blowout win vs. Colorado?
The No. 17-ranked Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team is set to play Colorado on Tuesday.
KU lost to K-State on Saturday, while Colorado lost to Houston.
Below is a scouting report and prediction of the game.
No. 17 Kansas vs. Colorado
When/where: 8 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse
TV/Streaming: ESPN2
Opponent’s record: 9-14
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) Ranking: 106
Betting line: Kansas is an 18.5-point favorite
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats only include Division I competition.
Colorado team strengths
OK defense: The Buffs rank No. 87 in adjusted defensive efficiency (102.7). Adjusted defensive efficiency is the number of points allowed per 100 possessions. KU ranks No. 5 in the same metric.
Free throw converters: Colorado ranks No. 54 in free throw percentage (75.8%).
Sharing is caring: UC ranks No. 20 in assist rate (61.3). Meanwhile, KU ranks No. 24.
Colorado team weaknesses
They don’t stop 3s: Colorado ranks No. 190 in opposing team 3-point percentage (33.8%).
Turnover issues: The Buffs rank No. 353 in turnover percentage (21.7).
Rebounding struggles: UC ranks No. 224 in offensive rebounding percentage (28.6%).
Colorado Name to Know
6-foot-2 senior guard Julian Hammond (No. 3)
+ Quality scorer (13.7 PPG)
+ Decent facilitator (3.2 APG)
+ Great free throw shooter (89.9% at the line)
+ Marksman (shooting 40.4% on 3-pointers)
+ Steals magnet (1.2 SPG)
- Turnover prone (2.4 TPG)
- Not much of a rebounder (2.4 RPG)
Tale of the Tape
Colorado guard Javon Ruffin can heat up in a hurry.
He isn’t hesitant to take shots from deep, as illustrated in a highlight against Utah. Ruffin is shooting 36.4% from deep this season.
On the play, Ruffin received the pass well beyond the arc and wasn’t hesitant. He immediately rose and canned the 3-pointer before the Utah defender could recover.
The key for the Jayhawks will be to run Ruffin off the 3-point line whenever they can. Defenders must get in his airspace on jumpers.
One shot can get him into a rhythm, as he dropped 13 points vs. Utah in 27 minutes. He also shot 3-for-6 on 3-pointers.
KU basketball game prediction
After a tough loss to K-State on Saturday, this is the perfect opponent for the Jayhawks to play.
Colorado is the worst team in the Big 12 and currently on a 12-game losing streak. On top of that, the Buffs aren’t great at taking care of the ball.
So, if KU can start aggressively on both ends and get a big lead — this game should be over quickly.
I like KU to win, but not cover in this one. It’ll also be worth keeping an eye on the crowd in Allen Fieldhouse after Bill Self spoke about it during his news conference.
Kansas 76, Colorado 60
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Colorado (+18.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 18-5
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 13-10
KU Player to Watch: Flory Bidunga
KU freshman Flory Bidunga has had a quiet couple of games. He’s averaged 4 points and 2.7 rebounds over the last three games.
On top of that, he’s played only 15.3 minutes per game after Self had talked about playing Bidunga more. Unfortunately, he’s struggled on both ends during this recent stretch.
Let’s see if he can get back on track against a struggling Colorado squad.
