Texas A&M Aggies at Kansas Jayhawks, Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS
Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Kansas -13
Current Line: Kansas -13
Opening Line: 137
Current Total: 138 1/2
Money Line; Kansas -1100 / Texas A&M +750
The Kansas Jayhawks are ranked #2 in both polls. they can clinch at least a share of the Big 12 regular season title with a win tonight against the Texas A&M Aggies. With Texas losing 3 of their last four games, The Jayhawks only have to win their last two games to win the title outright. Kansas plays at Missouri Saturday to close out the regular season. The Jayhawks are 27-2 overall and 12-2 in conference. Texas A&M is ranked #22 or #24 depending on which poll you look at, and are in third place in the conference with a 9-5 record. They are trying to hold off the suddenly hot Kansas St Wildcats for fourth place who are playing up to their potential finally. The top four teams get first round byes in next week’s Big 12 tournament. Kansas has losses to Texas and Kansas St on the season. They have wins over Arizona, UCLA, Memphis, Colorado St, USC, Cal, Michigan, Iowa St twice, Nebraska twice, Baylor, Colorado twice, Kansas St, Texas Tech, Missouri, Oklahoma St, and Oklahoma. The Jayhawks have won 3 straight games including an 82-70 win at Oklahoma Saturday. Texas A&M has losses to Boston College, Texas twice, Baylor twice, and Nebraska. The Aggies lost at Baylor Saturday 58-51 to snap a 5 game winning streak for A&M. They are probably pretty safe as far the NCAA tournament goes, with wins over Temple, Washington, Arkansas, Oklahoma twice, Oklahoma St twice, Missouri, Kansas St, Colorado, Texas Tech, and Iowa St.
Kansas has dominated the series against Texas A&M 16-1. A&M’s only win in the series happened in 2007. Until Texas won at Kansas earlier in the season, that loss to Texas A&M was the Jayhawks’ last home loss. That was a 69 game home winning streak for the Jayhawks. Kansas has won 3 straight in the series straight up but are 2-1 ATS in those games. Two of those three have gone under the total. Kansas is 27-15 ATS in all home games over the last 3 seasons. Kansas is 45-30 ATS versus teams with winning records the last 3 seasons, including 30-16 in conference games in the same span. Texas A&M is 6-0 ATS in road games after scoring 60 points or less in the previous game the last 3 seasons.
Texas A&M has no significant injuries right now. The Aggies are led by forward Khris Middleston who averages 14.6 points to lead the team, 5.3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals a game to tie for the team lead. Forward David Loubeau averages 11.2 points, and 4.9 rebounds a game. Forward Nathan Walkup averages 9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.3 assists a game. B.J. Holmes averages 9.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Dash Harris leads the team in assists with 3.2 a game. No Aggie averages more than 0.6 blocks a game. Texas A&M is outscoring opponents 69-61 on the season. The Aggies are shooting 44.5% from the field and 33.7% from 3-point range. The Aggies are holding opponents to 41% shooting from the field. A&M makes 70% of their free throws. The Aggies average 36.8 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +7.3. They average 13.6 assists and 12.8 turnovers a game. They force 13.6 turnovers a game on defense. A&M averages 6.6 steals and 1.6 blocks a game.
Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor is listed as probable as he returns from a two game suspension. Taylor averages 8.8 points, leads the team in assists with 4.7 a game and averages 1.2 steals a game. Guard Elijah Johnson is also probable with a neck injury. Kansas is led by the Morris twins, 6’9″, 235 pound Marcus and 6’10”, 245 pound Markieff. “Little Brother” Marcus averages 17.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists a game. Big Brother Markieff averages 13.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounding and blocks. Both Morris brothers shoot over 36% from 3-point range. Kansas Guard Josh Selby averages 10.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He also shoots 38.4% from 3-point range. He has missed numerous games this season due to injury and is still recovering from a stress fracture in his foot. Guard Tyrel Reed averages 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals a game to tie for the team lead. Forward Thomas Robinson is averaging 8.5 points, and 6.3 rebounds a game. Brady Morningstar averages 6.5 points 1.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and leads the team in steals with 1.5 a game. Kansas is outscoring opponents 84-65 on the season. Kansas is shooting 52.3% from the field and 39.3% from 3-point range. The Jayhawks are holding opponents to 39.7% shooting from the field. Kansas makes 67.5% of their free throws. Kansas averages 38.4 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +7.8. The Jayhawks average 18.4 assists and 13.5 turnovers a game. They force 14.8 turnovers a game on defense. Kansas averages 8.4 steals and 4.5 blocks a game.
Kansas is trying to secure a number #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, and have a really good shot of doing just that unless the completely fall apart. Kansas is the superior team in every category. Texas A&M must slow the game down, as they will get blown out of the building if they try to run with the speedy Jayhawks. The Aggies must play this game in the 60’s or even the 50’s to have a chance.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot as tournament time approaches. Don’t miss out on any more winners as the games become more and more important every day.
