Kansas Jayhawks look to extend win streak to 7 vs. Utah. Here’s our prediction
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas aims to extend six-game win streak to seven at Allen Fieldhouse.
- Utah leans on 3-point shooting and scorer Terrence Brown despite weak defense.
- Kansas 80, Utah 62; covering the 19.5-point spread seems unlikely.
The Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team hosts Utah on Saturday.
No. 11 KU (17-5) beat Texas Tech on Monday, while Utah lost to Arizona State on Wednesday. The Jayhawks are looking to extend their win streak to seven games.
Here is more about Saturday’s game, including a scouting report and prediction:
No. 11 Kansas vs. Utah: Game details
When: 1:30 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, Feb. 7
Where: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence)
TV/streaming: FOX
Opponent’s record: 9-13
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) ranking: 124
Betting line: Kansas is a 19.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats include only Division-I competition.
Utah Strengths
Plenty of experience: Utah ranks No. 89 in Division I experience ( 1.83 years)
Bombs away: The Utes rank No. 44 in 3-point percentage (36.5).
Good offense: Utah ranks No. 81 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (114.9), which measures the number of points scored per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponent.
Utah Weaknesses
Limited trips to line: Utah ranks No. 236 in free-throw rate (33.3).
Turnovers rate: The Utes ranks No. 329 in opponent turnover rate (14.3)
Bad defense: Utah ranks No. 228 in adjusted defensive efficiency (111.2), which measures the number of points allowed per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponent.
Utah Name to Know
6-foot-3 junior guard Terrence Brown (No. 2)
+ Elite scorer (21.4 points per game)
+ Solid shooter (35.3% on 3-pointers)
+ Solid facilitator (4 APG)
+ Good free-throw shooter (79.2% at the free-throw line)
- Not much of a rebounder (2.2 per game)
- Turnover prone (2.4 per game)
Kansas-Utah game prediction
After playing an absolute gauntlet of a schedule, the Jayhawks finally get an “easy” opponent on Saturday.
Utah is one of the worst teams in the Big 12. The Utes have some talent, and the Jayhawks will want to limit guards Brown and McHenry. Both are averaging nearly 20 points per game. KU will also need to defend the perimeter well, as that’s where Utah frequently scores.
That said, KU’s offense should feast against the Utes. KU freshman Darryn Peterson in particular could have a special day. After all, his rival, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, dropped 43 points on this Utes squad.
Don’t be surprised if Peterson or another KU starter has a career day. Utah’s defense is putrid.
I like the Jayhawks to win this game, but it’s a tall ask to cover a spread this large.
Prediction: Kansas 80, Utah 62
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Utah (+19.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 18-4
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 15-7.
KU Player to Watch: Flory Bidunga
KU big man Flory Bidunga has played quality defense of late. Coach Bill Self and Peterson have even dubbed him the best defender in the nation.
It’s hard to argue, given Bidunga’s success against Dybantsa and JT Toppin. He won’t be directly guarding Utah’s top scorers Saturday, but he will get them on switches and must help deter them from venturing into the paint.
I’m curious to see if he can keep up his stellar level of play defensively and also have a great game offensively against Utah on Saturday.
