Altitude? Late tip? Prediction — and keys — for KU basketball’s game at Colorado
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas travels to Boulder to face Colorado; KU favored by 4.5, game at 10 p.m. CT.
- Colorado ranks well in offense and free throws but lacks in bench and perimeter defense.
- KU relies on freshman Darryn Peterson and must overcome altitude and road struggles.
The KU men’s basketball team heads on the road to face Colorado on Tuesday.
No. 19 Kansas (13-5) beat Baylor on Friday, while Colorado lost to WVU on Saturday.
Here is more about Tuesday’s game, including a scouting report and prediction:
No. 19 Kansas vs. Colorado: Game details
When: 10 p.m. Central on Tuesday, Jan. 20
Where: CU Events Center (Boulder, Colorado)
TV/streaming: ESPN
Opponent’s record: 12-6
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) ranking: 79
Betting line: KU is a 4.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats include only Division-I competition.
Colorado Strengths
- Take care of the ball: Colorado ranks No. 38 in turnover percentage (14.6).
- Free throw makers: The Buffs are shooting 77.8% on free throws, ranking No. 20 nationally.
- Good offense: Colorado ranks No. 62 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (118.8), which measures the number of points scored per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponent.
Colorado Weaknesses
- Lack of bench trust: The Buffs rank No. 216 in bench minutes percentage (31.5).
- Perimeter defense issues: Colorado ranks No. 257 in opponent 3-point percentage (35.3).
- Struggle to generate turnovers: Colorado is No. 284 in opponent turnover percentage (15.4).
Colorado Name to Know
6-foot-1 freshman guard Isaiah Johnson (No.2)
+ Good scorer (15.8 points per game)
+ Elite from deep (44.8% on 3-pointers)
+ Efficient scorer (51.6% from the field)
+ Good free-throw shooter (81.7% at the line)
- Not much of a passer (2.2 assists per game)
Kansas-Colorado game prediction
Not only did KU basketball rejoin the AP poll Monday, but the Jayhawks are red-hot. KU had arguably its best week of the season with big wins over then-No. 2 Iowa State and Baylor.
A key distinction for those wins? KU played those games inside Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas will be on the road vs. Colorado — playing at altitude more than a mile above sea level — though on paper the Jayhawks are the much superior squad.
The Buffs aren’t a great defensive team and will struggle to guard KU freshman phenom Darryn Peterson.
A silver lining for Colorado? Since the start of conference play, the Buffs have defended 3-pointers well, letting opponents shoot only 27.1% from distance. That said, that’s a sample size of only five games, while the team’s perimeter defense all season has been a struggle.
The big question: Can the Jayhawks win on the road? KU is 0-2 in Big 12 road games with losses to two middling teams in UCF and West Virginia.
I think the Jayhawks stop their road woes Tuesday. I expect KU’s offense to have no real issues against the Buffs’ defense, and KU should continue to build off its defensive performances from the last week.
Prediction: Kansas 75, Colorado 66
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Kansas (-4.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 14-4
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 12-6
KU Player to Watch: Darryn Peterson
For maybe the first time all season, the Jayhawks looked comfortable playing alongside freshman star Darryn Peterson on Friday.
Peterson scored 26 points ... in just 23 minutes vs. the Baylor Bears.
Peterson is clearly a special talent, enough that one former KU star called him the best to ever put on a KU uniform. As he continues to deal with his cramping issues, the question is how many minutes he’ll play — especially at altitude.
Will it be enough to make sure the Jayhawks get their first Big 12 road win? That’s what I’m watching for.
