Can the Jayhawks cover the massive spread vs. Princeton without Darryn Peterson?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas hosts Princeton Saturday; Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson out again.
- Princeton shoots heavily from deep but struggles at two-point and on boards.
- Spread set at KU -24.5; pick favors Princeton to cover against the large line.
The No. 25-ranked Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team plays host to the Ivy League’s Princeton Tigers on Saturday.
The Jayhawks (2-1) dominated Texas A&M-CC on Tuesday, while the Tigers defeated the John Jay Bloodhounds.
KU will be without freshman Darryn Peterson for the second straight game.
Here is a scouting report and prediction for Saturday’s showdown:
No. 25 Kansas vs. Princeton
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday, Allen Fieldhouse
TV/streaming: ESPN
Opponent’s record: 2-1
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) Ranking: 225
Betting line: Kansas is a 24.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats only include Division I competition.
Princeton Strengths
- Not shy from deep: The Tigers aren’t afraid to shoot 3-pointers. Princeton ranks No. 27 in 3-point rate (50.8).
- Familiar faces: The Tigers rank No. 60 in minutes continuity percentage (39.6).
- Free-throw rate: Princeton ranks No. 120 in free-throw rate (41.5).
Princeton Weaknesses
- Turnover prone: The Tigers rank No. 200 in turnover percentage (18.5).
- Shooting struggles: Princeton ranks No. 307 in two-point percentage (43.1).
- Issues on the glass: The Tigers rank No. 262 in offensive rebounding percentage (26.2).
Princeton Name to Know
6-foot junior guard Dalen Davis (No. 22)
+ Quality scorer (16. 3 PPG)
+ Elite 3-point shooter (shooting 46.2% on 3-pointers)
+ Solid rebounder for his size (3 RPG)
- Struggles at the line (shooting 73.7% on free throws)
- Turnover prone (1.7 TPG)
- Not the best passer (3 APG)
Game Prediction
Another game without Peterson will test the Jayhawks. Kansas should win Saturday, but this gaudy spread?
Bryson Tiller and Kohl Rosario stepped up their scoring in KU’s last game and the pair will need to do the same against Princeton.
KU’s defensive chops will be challenged by the trigger-happy Tigers. The Jayhawks must hustle back in transition, get a hand up and run shooters off the line.
This second game without Peterson will give the Jayhawks a chance to figure out how to play without him on the floor. And that should make things smoother offensively whenever he returns.
Kansas 78, Princeton 58
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Princeton (+24.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 2-1
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 2-1
KU Player to Watch: Kohl Rosario
The freshman had his breakout game against Texas A&M-CC on Tuesday: 16 points and five rebounds.
More importantly, he looked confident and ready to go from the start. That version of Rosario makes the Jayhawks that much more dangerous. Let’s see if he can do it again vs. Princeton.
