The No. 1-ranked Kansas basketball team will kick off its much-anticipated 2024-25 regular season Monday night against the Howard Bison. It was a rematch of the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament when the Jayhawks defeated the No. 16-seeded Bison.
Since that contest, both rosters have changed significantly, and the stakes are much lower. Legendary Allen Fieldhouse will host its first home game of the year as Bill Self and Co. prepare for No. 9 North Carolina on Friday. This game is nothing more than a tune-up for the rest of nonconference play.
While it is a rather trivial bout for the Jayhawks, some betting outlets still released a spread for the contest. Here is the betting outlook for FanDuel Sportsbook:
Howard vs. Kansas basketball spread
Kansas is favored in the spread by 25.5 points. The last time these two squads met, the margin of victory was 28 points in a 96-68 blowout. While the Jayhawks might take this opponent lightly, fans should still expect a lopsided win for the home team. The moneyline is -10,000 for Kansas and +3,000 for Howard. Finally, the over/under of the contest is 152.5 points.
Howard vs. Kansas basketball players to watch
Kansas is the top-ranked team in the nation for a reason, with a plethora of talent in the starting lineup and off the bench. The offense will be centered around Hunter Dickinson, a two-time All-American and the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year. Other players such as AJ Storr, Zeke Mayo, and KJ Adams should manage the load early on.
Howard is led by All-MEAC guard Bryce Harris. He led the Bison to consecutive March Madness appearances and looks to do so again in 2025. He averaged 16.6 points and 7.5 rebounds last year, making him the player to watch Monday night.
Howard vs. Kansas basketball prediction
There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that Kansas wins this contest. The question is whether they will ease up toward the closing stages. Even with a roster hampered by minor injuries, Allen Fieldhouse will be rowdy and KU's second unit is much better than last season. The Jayhawks will win comfortably and should hold onto the spread, albeit in potentially nail-biting fashion.
Spread: Take Kansas (-25.5)
Final Score Prediction: 88-59