Kansas vs. East Tennessee State: 2019-20 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

For the second time this season, Kansas will host a Southern Conference team. It took until the second half for the Jayhawks to pull away from UNC Greensboro, but will the same be true against an undefeated East Tennessee State squad?

TV Schedule: Tuesday, November 19, 8:00 PM ET on ESPN+

Arena: Allen Field House in Lawrence, Kansas

After a 55-point blowout win against Monmouth, No. 4 Kansas (2-1) will host a red-hot East Tennessee State (3-0) team on Tuesday night. It’ll be the Jayhawks‘ second matchup against the Southern Conference this season, defeating UNC Greensboro, 74-62, a little over a week ago. East Tennessee State, meanwhile, recently defeated Winthrop despite their looming matchup with Kansas being a potential “look ahead” spot for the Buccaneers.

Since its season-opening loss to Duke, Kansas has been able to right the ship against lesser opponents. The Jayhawks, led by sophomore guard Devon Dotson rank ninth in adjusted offensive efficiency and 14th in 3-point percentage (43.1), per Kenpom.com.

Dotson has led the team with 18.7 points per game, while three others average double figures. Iowa transfer Isaiah Moss has shot lights out, averaging 14.5 points on 58.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc in just 20 minutes per game — he did not play against Duke

But the biggest problem for the Jayhawks this season centers around turnovers. Ball-handling has been an issue and Kansas has turned the ball over on 20.2 percent of their possessions, 203rd in the country.

It’ll likely be the focal point for ETSU’s veteran backcourt led by 6-foot-5 junior Bo Hodges. The Bucs force turnovers on 24.2 percent of defensive possessions and have a deep lineup — eight players average at least 17 minutes per game — which allows for an aggressive defensive approach.

Offensively, ETSU likes to slow down the pace. The Bucs rank 267th in the country in adjusted tempo but take advantage of its possessions, currently seventh in effective field goal percentage. Hodges leads the team with 15.3 points per game but sharpshooters Tray Boyd III (13.7 ppg) and Patrick Good (13 ppg) are right behind him.

The area where Kansas should take advantage of ETSU the most will come on the offensive glass. Outside of 7-footer Lucas N’Guessan, who plays the least in the eight-man rotation, the next tallest player is 6-foot-7 Jeromy Rodriguez.

It has led to opponents securing 36.8 percent of offensive rebounds — 326th in the country — which doesn’t bode well against the 16th tallest team in the country. Expect 7-footer Udoka Azubuike to have a huge game while 6-foot-10 sophomore David McCormack, 6-foot-9 junior Silvio De Sousa, and 6-foot-8 Tristan Enaruna both provide relief on the boards.

East Tennessee State will likely look to force a fast-paced Kansas team to slow down the tempo, grinding out possessions and looking for efficient shots like they have all season.

If the ETSU guards can be aggressive and force the Jayhawks into making a few early mistakes, this game will be close and likely within the 14-point spread that Vegas opened at. Kenpom currently gives Kansas an 86-percent chance at winning the game, while ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Jayhawks an 81.9-percent chance.

But the distinct height advantage that Kansas holds will prove to be too much for the mid-major Buccaneers squad to handle. Second-chance opportunities come often and against lesser teams, ETSU can still grind out their wins with great offensive looks and a stout defense. Kansas is a totally different beast.

Prediction: Kansas 76 – East Tennessee State 63