Three seasons into his tenure with the Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart is stuck in the muck. Acclamation and celebration greeted Smart upon his arrival at Austin. And high Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball expectations smiled his way as well. While Smart led Virginia Commonwealth to the 2011 Final Four he has failed to jumpstart the Texas program. Only Iowa State has a worse Big 12 record than the Horns. Conversely the Kansas Jayhawks are a perennial March Madness favorite. And they have been fighting for the top spot in the Big 12 all year.
Texas Longhorns vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Date and Time: Monday, February 26, 2018, 9 p.m. Eastern
Location: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | +11 (-110) | 141½ (-110) |  |
| Kansas | -11 (-110) | 141½ (-110) | |
| |||
Longhorns vs. Jayhawks TV Coverage: ESPN
Texas Longhorns
Few teams are in such a bad Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball slump as Texas. Hook ‘em has failed to get the money in five of their last six games. Under the total has paid in their last three games. Overall the Longhorns are now 17-12 straight up and 12-13 against the spread. On the road Texas has lost five of nine with the odds. Offense has been offensively bad for the Horns. Most noteworthy is a national ranking of 243rd for scoring. Texas is 7-9 straight up in the Big 12. Smart has failed to recruit enough skill and depth.
Kansas Jayhawks
Head coach Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks lead the Big 12 with a 12-4 record. In addition, they are 23-6 straight up and 15-12-1 against the spread. KU has lost just six out of 15 home games vs. the line. Also, the Jayhawks have gone over the total in nine home games. Recently however Kansas has lost won just three of their last seven games with the odds. Over the total has paid in three of their last four games.
Senior guard Devonte Graham leads KU with 18 points and seven assists per game. Of concern is a defense that ranks 139th nationally. Hence the back door may be open to an underdog.
Team vs. Team
Head to head in this online sportsbook series Kansas has held the edge. Most noteworthy is that the Jayhawks have paid out in five of their last eight against the Longhorns. Over the total has cleared in in just one of the last five in this series. Interestingly enough Texas has had their best value at Allen Fieldhouse. Especially relevant is that the Horns have three straight payouts at Kansas. And none of the last seven in this series at KU have gone over the total.
Matchup to Watch
First of all, this Vegas Lines NCAA Basketball matchup is a stark contrast. Offensively few teams can match Kansas. And few teams are inepter at scoring than Texas. Public Perception will bet up the line for Kansas however. What can keep Smart’s team within the number is their solid defense. Another factor is KU’s tendency to take some defensive possessions off. Hence the Horns can stay within the inflated price. Sneaking through the rear door is possible for Texas.
Longhorns vs. Jayhawks NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
In conclusion Texas has proven betting value at Allen Fieldhouse. Finally, the public is likely to bet Kansas beyond its actual value. As a result, the Texas Longhorns are the call.
NCAA Betting Online Pick: Texas Longhorns
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Longhorns 71, Jayhawks 79