After a tough last week, Texas has a huge opportunity for a signature resume win against Kansas. Can the Longhorns pull it off at Allen Fieldhouse?
TV schedule: Monday, January 14, 9:00 pm ET. ESPN
Arena: Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas
After being ranked as high as No. 17 in the country over a month ago, Texas 10-6 (2-2) has fallen off, going 5-5 in the team’s last 10 games. It’s brought them back to a familiar situation – the NCAA Basketball bubble.
That’s thanks to what happened last week to the Longhorns, dropping both conference games. The first was a damaging loss at Oklahoma State, before missing out at a chance at a signature win at home against Texas Tech. Kerwin Roach did well be scoring 35 total points in the two games but the team shooting woes continued, combined to go for 9/42 from three-point range.
Texas does get another shot at a top-10 team today with Kansas 14-2 (3-1), a team still adjusting after losing key big man Udoka Azubuike for the season. It wasn’t easy but the Jayhawks managed to beat both Baylor and TCU last week. National Player of the Year candidate Dedric Lawson had another huge performance in the win over the Bears, going for 31 points and 14 rebounds. Texas forwards Dylan Osetkowski and Jaxson Hayes will have their hands full trying to slow him down.
Last season, Kansas swept both season meetings against the Longhorns, including the thrilling 92-86 win to open Big 12 play. It’s a similar situation compared to last year, with Texas needing a quality win over a top-10 program while the Jayhawks fighting to stay on top of the Big 12. With Texas Tech unbeaten and No. 1, Bill Self’s team can’t afford to drop this one at home.
While both Roach and Lawson are expected to be the key contributors for their respective teams, the scoring from the inconsistent supporting cast will be the ultimate decider in this game, particularly from the guards. Until Texas can show that they can shoot well from long distance, it’s hard to predict that they’ll beat a top-10 team with National POY player.
Prediction: Kansas 76 – Texas 66
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