Primer, Preview & LIVE Blog: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Kansas vs Texas
The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the BYU Cougars for the third time this season to advance to the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. Tonight, they face off against the Texas Longhorns as they try to get to 20 wins on the season before the NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns finished the season with the second best record in the Big 12, even though they are the highest ranked team in the conference.
The Longhorns lead the all-time series 35-12, including having won the last 4. They have won all three prior matchups against the Jayhawks in the Big 12 Tournament.
With that, let's take a deep dive into today's game. Take a look at the essentials, then stick around for LIVE updates from the game:
The Numbers
Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are provided by CBB Analytics. CBB Analytics is a new stats website in college hoops, covering both men and women's basketball in D-I, D-II and D-III. You can follow them on Twitter @CBBAnalytics
Kansas: 19-11 (11-7 Big 12): CBB Analytics Adjusted Net Rating - 56th overall, 45th offense, 70th defense
#6 Texas: 27-4 (14-4 Big 12): Net Rating - 3rd overall, 6th offense, 7th defense
Line: TEX -13.5
O/U: 134.5
How to Watch
Saturday, March 9th, 5:30 p.m. CST
Kansas City, MO: T-Mobile Center
TV: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
- Brenda VanLengen (Play-by-Play), Sheryl Swoopes (Analyst)
Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network
- Steven Davis (Play-by-Play)
Webcast: Kansas Online Radio
Game Coverage
Listen to the latest episode of the Rock Chalk Podcast with Kansas play-by-play voice Steven Davis
Come join the conversation in the Blue Wings Rising Discord Server.
Opponent Team Form
As we talked about the last time that these two teams met, there isn't a lot that Texas doesn't do well. They have one of the best offensive rebounding units in the nation, they get to the line and hold on to the ball. They take good shots and make a great percentage. They get a lot from their bench and get points off turnovers. The only things they don't do well are getting out on the fast break (they don't usually need it) and keeping their opponents from going to the line.
The Longhorns don't take a ton of threes, but that has more to do with how effective they are inside as opposed to not being good at it. They tend to get into a decent amount of foul trouble, and they don't get many assists, but they have quite a few players that can create their own shots.
However, those are season-long trends. If you are a Jayhawk fan looking for a reason why they might be able to win this game, look no further than the last 5 game stretch. They haven't fixed any of their issues, but they also haven't been rebounding well on the offensive end, and they don't force turnovers at nearly the same clip. They also foul even more than they already did.
Players to Watch
Shaylee Gonzales - 5'9" Senior Guard
Season: 9.5 pts, 4.4 rebs, 2.6 asts, 1.6 stls, 0.1 blks, 36.7% 3P%
Last 5: 10.4 pts, 3.2 rebs, 3.8 asts, 1.8 stls, 0.2 blks, 33.3% 3P%
Gonzales didn't score the most against Kansas earlier this season, but her long range shooting annoyed Kansas all game long, and she has a history of torching the Jayhawks. Kansas will need to get out on her early and often to avoid letting her shred them from outside.
Madison Booker - 6'1" Freshman Forward
Season: 16.5 pts, 4.9 rebs, 4.9 asts, 1.6 stls, 0.3 blks, 48.2% 2P%
Last 5: 20.0 pts, 4.0 rebs, 6.4 asts, 2.8 stls, 0.4 blks, 46.0% 2P%
Likely the best player on the court, and she showed that in the first matchup. Her scoring isn't what is most impressive, as her versatility across the court is dangerous. Those upgraded assist numbers have me worried about her taking over this game.
Taylor Jones - 6'4" Senior Forward
Season: 12.8 pts, 6.9 rebs, 0.2 asts, 1.0 stls, 1.9 blks, 62.5% 2P%
Last 5: 12.6 pts, 6.4 rebs, 0.0 asts, 0.4 stls, 2.2 blks, 62.9% 2P%
Jones isn't the most flashy pick here, but she did a great job in helping to shut the Jayhawks down the last time they met up. Kansas needs to find ways to keep her from limiting Jackson. I'm not sure how likely that is, but Kansas needs a big inside game today.
Matchups to Watch
There are two stats that I'm looking at tonight that will likely decide who wins this game:
Paint Points
This isn't just from the post players, but teams that have been successful against the Longhorns have been able to get into the paint to score. If Kansas can't get that, either by entry passes to Taiyanna Jackson or slashing plays from Zakiyah Franklin, then Kansas will be in real trouble.
Turnovers
The Jayhawks did a pretty good job of forcing turnovers in the last matchup, but they also gave away way too many of them themselves. Each player that played more than 5 minutes committed a turnover, and Kansas turned it over 5 more times than Texas did. If that happens again, then Kansas is doomed..
Prediction
It's hard to predict that Kansas will get a win here, as Texas has been a really good team all year, and even with the recent struggles they have been deadly. I think Kansas can make this game entertaining, and I wouldn't even be slightly shocked if the Jayhawks pull off the win, but it is hard to pull the trigger on a prediction that they will be able finish off an upset.
Texas 79, Kansas 74.
