Kansas vs. BYU Prediction, Odds & AI Picks: Best Bets for Tonight's Big 12 Clash
Kansas (17-8) remains in the Beehive State to take on BYU (17-8) tonight at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN) from the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.
Despite having longer March Madness odds, the Cougars are a 3.5-point home favorite against a Jayhawks squad coming off an ugly loss to Utah. Still, our Kansas vs. BYU prediction and odds expect the visitor to pull off a much-needed win.
Kansas vs. BYU predictions today
College basketball picks based on the odds from our best March Madness betting sites.
- Against the spread pick: Kansas +3.5 (-110 via BetMGM) vs. BYU ⭐⭐⭐
- My best pick: Zeke Mayo Over 2.5 made 3-pointers (+105 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kansas vs. BYU ATS prediction
Kansas to cover the spread: +3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Kansas has not lived up to its preseason No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 Poll for the second straight season. However, the Jayhawks are still one of the most talented teams in the country and have a lethal inside-outside combo in Hunter Dickinson and Zeke Mayo.
Those two should be capable of pushing a BYU defense that's 11th in Big 12 play in both points allowed per game (72.4) and field goal percentage (44.6%). As good as the Cougars have looked at times in Kevin Young's first season as bench boss, this defense has major issues - it's 75th in adjusted efficiency, per KenPom.
Even with home-court advantage and a talented offense led by Richie Saunders, I'm a little surprised that BYU is favored by more than three against Kansas. The Cougars haven't looked good against ranked teams this season; losing to Ole Miss, Houston, and Arizona by an average of 17.6 points and going 0-3 ATS in those games.
Following the loss to Utah, I expect Bill Self to have the Jayhawks ready to live up to their potential, especially against a BYU squad that lacks the size to slow Dickinson. If Kansas covers, a $10 bet pays a $9.09 profit.
Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%
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Best Kansas vs. BYU pick
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Zeke Mayo Over 2.5 made 3-pointers ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dickinson is going to be such a problem for BYU in this game because the Cougars don't have a player in their rotation bigger than 6-foot-9, 190 pounds. The Jayhawks' All-American center is 7-foot-1, 255 pounds.
Young's team will need to sell out to slow Dickinson, which should leave Mayo plenty of opportunity on the perimeter to get open looks. The South Dakota State transfer is fifth in the Big 12 in threes per game (2.5), hitting 40.5% from behind the arc.
Meanwhile, BYU gives up the most 3-pointers per game in conference play this season (8.6) and Mayo has already gone Over 2.5 made 3-pointers in 11 games as a Jayhawk, including four of his last six. Another night of three-plus threes for Mayo will turn a $10 bet into a $10.50 profit.
Best odds: +105 via bet365 | Implied probability: 48.78%
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Kansas vs. BYU AI prediction
AI score prediction: Kansas 78 BYU 70
(Score prediction and analysis via ChatGPT)
Considering Kansas' interior presence and the home-court advantage for BYU, the projected final score is Kansas 78, BYU 70.
- Oddsmakers are heavily factoring in home-court advantage at the Marriott Center, where the Cougars are tough to beat, along with Kansas’ recent road struggles, but the public might still see Kansas as the better team despite the spread
- BYU thrives at home with a fast-paced offense, elite 3-point shooting, and a raucous Marriott Center crowd that makes Provo one of the toughest places to play in college basketball
- Kansas’ size advantage with Hunter Dickinson, experience in big games, and ability to control the glass should allow them to dictate the tempo and overcome BYU’s home-court edge
Kansas' superior rebounding, interior scoring with Hunter Dickinson, and ability to handle BYU’s defensive pressure should ultimately allow them to control the game late and secure a victory on the road.
Live Kansas vs. BYU odds
See all of this week's college basketball odds and NCAAB scores.
Kansas vs. BYU opening odds
- Spread: Kansas +1.5 (-110) | BYU -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 148.5 (-110) | Under 148.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Kansas +105 | BYU -125
Kansas vs. BYU game info
- When: Tuesday, Feb. 18
- Tipoff: 9 p.m. ET
- Where: Marriott Center (Provo, Utah)
- How to watch: ESPN
- Favorite: BYU -2.5 (-118 via DraftKings)
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