- Kansas is a 3.5-point favorite over Kentucky on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic in Indianapolis
- Both teams are 1-1 with Kansas losing to top-ranked Gonzaga and Kentucky falling to Richmond
- The Jayhawks are ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press media poll and the Wildcats are No. 20
There are various levels of rebuilding in college basketball.
Kansas, for example, must replace big man Udoka Azubuike and point guard Devon Dotson. However, coach Bill Self has three starters back from a team that went 28-3 last season before the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the NCAA Tournament.
Kentucky, on the hand, is undergoing a total renovation as just one player who scored for it during the 2019-20 season is back from a team that finished 25-6. Coach John Calipari has 10 newcomers on his roster, including seven freshmen.
The two traditional powers are off to 1-1 starts.
Kansas is the favorite when the teams meet at 9:30 pm ET Tuesday night in the Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
#20 Kentucky vs #7 Kansas Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | +134 | +3.5 (-115) | Over 146.5 (-110) |
| Kansas | -158 | -3.5 (-105) | Under 146.5 (-110) |
Odds taken Nov. 30 from FanDuel.
Kansas Bounces Back
Kansas, now No. 7 in the Associated Press media poll, opened the season by losing to top-ranked Gonzaga 103-92 in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Thanksgiving. The Jayhawks were four-point underdogs.
However, the Jayhawks bounced back to down Saint Joseph’s 94-72, covering the 20-point spread.
Sophomore guard Christian Braun had a breakout game against the Hawks by scoring 30 points. He connected on 10 of 13 field goal attempts, including five 3-pointers, and added nine rebounds.
Christian Braun is Up Next @ Kansas. The BIG 12 ALL- Freshman guard had a solid season among one of the Nation’s strongest backcourts. In conference play, the 6’6 guard averaged 6.3 ppg & 3.4 rpg while shooting 45% FG and 50% from 3PT. #MOKANFAM #LEAGUEHIM @Ballin25Braun pic.twitter.com/Le2hUKlZgX
— LEAGUE HIM. (@LEAGUEHIM_) July 3, 2020
Braun is averaging a team-leading 19.0 points a game to go with 5.5 rebounds. Last season, his averages were 5.3 and 2.9.
Ochai Agbaji (17.5), Marcus Garrett (13.5) and Jalen Wilson (12.5) are also scoring in double digits.
Kansas trailed 46-44 early in the second half but responded with a 21-6 run to take control of the game with a 13-point lead.
The Jayhawks showed they are well-rounded. They shot 50%, held a 51-33 rebounding advantage and outscored Saint Joseph’s of the Atlantic 10 in fast break points 35-11.
Kentucky’s Inexperience Shows
Kentucky, though, figures to provide much more resistance despite being upset at home by an A-10 team on Sunday, falling 76-64 to Richmond as a 6.5-point favorite.
The Wildcats’ inexperience showed against a veteran Richmond team whose roster includes 10 upperclassmen and four graduate students. Kentucky started four freshmen and senior center Olivier Sarr, a transfer from Wake Forest.
Often looking disjointed, Kentucky had 21 turnovers. The Wildcats also had just five assists, including none in the second half, shot 31% percent overall and allowed the Spiders to shoot 59% over the final 20 minutes.
Kentucky’s defense was stellar in the first half. Not so much In second. This is too easy & a reason Richmond scored 40 in the last 16 minutes. No ball pressure, not in passing lanes, stances bad off the ball. This can be corrected for a young team. @KentuckyRivals pic.twitter.com/ZHuouNljkv
— David Sisk (@CoachDavidSisk) November 29, 2020
Topping it off, Kentucky missed all 10 attempts from 3-point range.
Freshman guard Brandon Boston has lived to his five-star recruit hype as he is scoring a team-best 17.5 points and pulling down 8.5 rebounds a game.
Fellow freshman backcourt mate Terrence Clarks has a 13.0 scoring averaging. Sarr is chipping in with 12.5 ppg.
Injury Updates
Sophomore power forward Keion Brooks, Jr., Kentucky’s lone experienced player, has sat out the first two games with a calf injury. He is not expected to return until mid-December.
Last season, Brooks averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds a game.
Keion Brooks will not be available Tues vs Kansas & he is a player that would be a big asset to the young @KentuckyMBB team @UKCoachCalipari said could be another 2 weeks in dealing with a calf injury . Remember he is the only player who saw time with Cats in the past .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 30, 2020
Kansas junior center David McCormick sustained an arm injury during the second half of the game with Saint’s Joseph’s but is expected to play.
Recent History
These blueblood programs have met 32 times with Kentucky holding a decisive 23-9 edge.
Kansas had won three in a row, though, until Kentucky won the last meeting 71-63 at home during the 2018-19 season as a 5.5-point favorite.
Garrett is the lone player remaining who started in that game. In 32 minutes, the defensive ace had four points, five rebounds and two steals.
Garrett and Kansas have more experience this time. Yet it is hard to pick against a talented Kentucky that is looking to bounce back off a loss.
The Pick: Kentucky +3.5 (-115)
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