In the Big 12 nowadays, there is really no such thing as a "banker" of a game where one team is a guarantee. In our last edition, we overviewed the three “easiest” games on Kansas’ schedule. Now it is time we move to the three hardest games on Kansas’ rigid slate.
Harder: Kansas at Texas Tech, Feb. 2, 8 p.m.
Let me save you some reading: Kansas probably doesn’t win this game. Texas Tech is far and away one of the most underrated teams in the conference with arguably the highest ceiling of any team.
Something about oil money just hits different, kind of like the duo of JT Toppin and Christian Anderson. The duo are both averaging 20+ points per game this season, the most of any starting duo in the conference.
Minor inconsistencies on the road against Kansas will bite you, but keeping composure when the crowd is on your side is much easier. If the Red Raiders stay in front and knock down easy looks, the Jayhawks will struggle in this one.
The Red Raiders haven’t lost this game at home since the 2022-23 season, but the time is nigh for Kansas if they keep it close.
Score Prediction: Kansas 78, Texas Tech 76
Toughest home test: Arizona at Kansas, Jan. 25, 7 p.m.
This matchup can go one of two ways for Kansas; either it’s played out well and the Jayhawks play a game reminiscent of its 2OT loss against Houston a season ago, or it’s a complete and utter blowout like then-No. 1 Purdue suffered at home to current No. 3 Iowa State.
One thing to note: this isn’t Caleb Love’s Arizona team. It’s a Wildcat roster led in scoring by Koa Peat and Brayden Burries. Buries has scored 20+ in three games this season, most notably scoring 28 in the win over No. 12 Alabama.
Arizona might spread the floor better than any team in the country, but even the best teams in the country falter when playing inside Allen Fieldhouse.
Depending on where the momentum lies, this one could be a toss up. Either way, my money is on Arizona.
Score Prediction: Arizona 86, Kansas 80
Blowout: Kansas at Iowa State, Feb. 14, Noon
One word: blowout. One phrase: forget about it.
Iowa State is hands down the best team in the country when playing at home, and there isn’t even bias in saying that.
The No. 3 team in the country broke its all-time scoring record earlier this season against Alcorn State and has won by margins in double figures in 11 of 13 games this season.
Add in the combination of Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson, and you have an Iowa State team that has a genuine shot at a national title.
Momcilovic draws comparisons to a young Dirk Nowitzki, and rightfully so. The junior has nailed five or more threes in five games this season, even knocking down a career-high eight in the team’s 132-68 win over Alcorn State.
Jefferson is off to an equally impressive start to the season, averaging 18.1 points per game, shooting over 55% from the floor.
“Hilton Magic” might not be as loud on paper as the noise level inside Allen Fieldhouse, but when it’s against a ranked team in Ames, look out.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 94, Kansas 70
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