KU basketball prediction: Can Jayhawks make a statement after falling in top 25?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas hosts Texas A&M‑Corpus Christi; Jayhawks favored by 25 1/2, upset unlikely.
- KU basketball seeks sustained defensive intensity after UNC loss.
- Islanders rely on Sheldon Williams inside and offensive rebounding to challenge KU.
The No. 25-ranked Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday.
The Jayhawks (1-1) lost to UNC on Friday. Meanwhile, the Islanders lost to Tarleton State on Saturday.
Here is a scouting report and prediction for Tuesday night’s showdown...
No. 25 Kansas vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
When/where: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence)
TV/streaming: ESPN+
Opponent’s record: 1-2
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) Ranking: 263
Betting line: KU is a 25 1/2-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats only include Division I competition.
Islanders Strengths
- Good defense inside the arc: Texas A&M-CC has held opposing teams to 44% shooting on 2-point shots, which ranks No. 71 in the nation.
- Long-range shooters: The Islanders rank No. 139 in 3-point percentage (34%).
- Crashing the glass: Texas A&M-CC ranks No. 130 in offensive rebounding percentage (33.7).
Islanders Weaknesses
- Foul heavy: The Islanders rank No. 334 in opposing team free throw rate (61.3).
- No freebies: Texas A&M-CC ranks No. 277 in free throw percentage (63.8%).
- Shooting struggles: The Islanders rank No. 335 in 2-point percentage (36.5%).
Texas A&M-CC Name to Know
6-foot-8 senior forward Sheldon Williams (No. 6)
+ Quality scorer (15.7 PPG)
+ Elite rebounder (11 RPG)
- Struggling at the free throw line (shooting 50% on free throws)
- Foul prone (averaging 3.3 fouls per game)
- Turnover prone (1.5 TPG)
- Not much of a passer (0.7 assists per game)
Game Prediction
There’s no question the Jayhawks are going to win this game. It just might not be as easy as the betting odds make it seem.
As Kansas coach Bill Self noted Monday, Texas A&M-CC isn’t a bad team. The Islanders were competitive against SMU and had a chance to pull off the upset.
Don’t expect the Jayhawks to be in danger of getting upset. This is a major opportunity for Kansas to bounce-back after a tough loss to UNC. KU’s defense fell apart against the Tar Heels, allowing 58 points in the second half.
Self emphasized that KU’s lack of effort on the defensive end was something that was pointed out during film sessions.
I expect Kansas to come out with a high level of defensive pressure that will last the entire night.
On the offensive end, KU freshman Kohl Rosario will have an opportunity to build off his 3-point shooting vs. UNC. He shot 2-for-4 on 3-pointers vs. the Tar Heels, but he shouldn’t hesitate to let it fly vs. the Islanders. This is the perfect game to do it.
This game should be a decisive Jayhawks victory.
Kansas 82, Texas A&M-CC 60
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Texas A&M-CC (+22.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 1-1
Shreyas’ season record vs. the spread: 1-1
KU Player to Watch: Bryson Tiller
Kansas freshman Bryson Tiller had a first half to remember vs. UNC. He stepped up to help carry the scoring load alongside Darryn Peterson.
He shot a perfect 4-for-4 on 3-pointers in the first half, for a total of 12 points. His second half, wasn’t quite as good. Tiller fouled out with about 10 minutes left.
Tiller’s development is the key to unlocking KU’s ceiling. The Jayhawks need a consistent scorer off the bench, and if Tiller can provide that, the non-Peterson minutes should be a lot smoother.
