KU’s Elmarko Jackson is cooking. Can he continue vs. Cincinnati? Prediction
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas is an 11.5-point favorite at Allen Fieldhouse.
- Cincinnati is No. 11 in adjusted defense; poor on 3s and free throws.
- KU needs a fast start; Jackson off the bench faces elite Cincinnati defense.
The Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team hosts Cincinnati at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday.
No. 8 KU (20-6) beat Oklahoma State on Wednesday, Cincinnati beat Utah 69-65 on Sunday.
Here is more about Saturday’s game, including a scouting report and prediction:
Kansas basketball vs. Cincinnati: Game details
When: 12 Noon, Central, on Saturday
Where: Allen Fieldhouse
TV/streaming: CBS
Opponent’s record: 14-12
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) ranking: 50
Betting line: Kansas is an 11.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats include only Division-I competition.
Cincinnati Strengths
- Forces opponents into tough shots: Cincinnati ranks No. 41 in opponent effective field goal percentage (47.6%).
- Turnover generators: Cincinnati ranks No. 72 in opponent turnover percentage (18.9%).
- Elite defense: The Bearcats rank No. 11 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (94.3), which measures the number of points surrendered per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponent.
Cincinnati Weaknesses
- Long ball issues: Cincinnati ranks No. 265 in 3-point percentage (32.2%).
- Offensive woes: The Bearcats rank No. 172 in adjusted offensive efficiency (109.2), which measures the number of points scored per 100 possessions.
- Nothing easy at the line: Cincinnati is shooting 67.5% on free throws, ranking No. 332 in the nation.
Cincinnati Name to Know
6-foot-11 senior forward Baba Miller (No. 18)
+ Good, dependable scorer (13.6 points per game)
+ Elite rebounder (10.4 per game)
+ Solid passer (3.2 assists per game)
+ Solid rim protector (1.4 block per game)
+ Bad free-throw shooter (66.4% at the line)
- Turnover prone (2 per game)
Kansas-Cincinnati game prediction
This is an interesting matchup for both sides. Each has similar strength: elite defense. On top of that, the Bearcats come in red-hot, having won three straight games.
That said, Cincinnati has one of the worst offensive teams in the Big 12. Meanwhile, KU’s offense is top-50 in the nation in most metrics.
The key to this game is for the Jayhawks could be to get off to a fast start vs. the Bearcats. Cincinnati doesn’t have the offense to keep up with KU’s offense.
That’s why I like the Jayhawks in this one, but the spread is a little too high for my taste. I think the Bearcats’ defense will keep the game closer than expected.
Prediction: Kansas 74, Cincinnati 65
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Cincinnati (+11.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 21-5
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 18-7
Player to watch: Elmarko Jackson
KU guard Elmarko Jackson had terrific game vs. Oklahoma State on Wednesday. He scored 14 points on 3-for-6 shooting from the field.
After the game, Kansas coach Bill Self said Jackson was the best player in the game. As of late, Jackson has become a more consistent contributor off the bench.
This game will be a great shot to see how he looks against an elite defense.
