Kansas vs Missouri Odds, Picks and Predictions: Fast Pace Will Produce Points

Former conference rivals will renew that rivalry for the second consecutive year on Saturday afternoon as the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks head to Columbia to face off with the Missouri Tigers.

Kansas only has one loss on the season, and it was a neutral site game against the Tennessee Volunteers. The Jayhawks also have big wins over Duke, North Carolina State, Wisconsin, and Seton Hall. Mizzou has only played one tough game at Wichita State, but it remains undefeated on the season.

Will the Tigers be able to pull off the upset on their home court? Find out in our college basketball picks and predictions for Kansas vs. Missouri on December 10.

Kansas vs Missouri best odds

Kansas vs Missouri picks and predictions

The Kansas Jayhawks have the capability to play multiple styles on the court, but they clearly prefer fast-paced action over the slow pace. Duke, Wisconsin, and Tennessee all slowed down the game against Kansas, and the Jayhawks struggled in all three of those games. They won by five over Duke, one over Wisconsin, and lost by 14 to Tennessee.

The good news for the Jayhawks in this matchup is that no one likes to play faster than the Missouri Tigers. They rank first in the entire country at 93.0 points per game with a 121.1 offensive rating. Mizzou also leads the nation in both assists per game and steals per game. The Tigers live on creating fast break opportunities. 

Kansas is one of the worst teams in the country in allowing assists to its opponents, as it ranks 350th in the nation at 10.3 per contest. The Jayhawks also turn the ball over 12.3 times per game, so Missouri will get plenty of opportunities to get out on the break.

The Tigers can get those steals from multiple positions as well, as D'Moi Hodge, Nick Honor, and Sean East each average more than two steals per game. 

However, Kansas also has a three-headed monster that can create scoring chances. Jalen Wilson and Dajuan Harris have great experience to combine with talent. Wilson averages 21.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, while Harris comes in at 8.0 points and 6.2 assists per contest. Then there is one of the best freshmen in the country in Gradey Dick, who averages 15.3 a night. 

Missouri is going to use its home-court advantage to put the pressure on Kansas early and try to force some turnovers. This should work for the Tigers in getting on the scoreboard early and often. Kansas will have the talent to keep up and score on its own, and this has all the makings of a fun shootout.

My best bet: Over 153 (-110 at BetRivers)

Kansas vs Missouri spread analysis

While both teams have excellent records, neither team has been great at covering spreads. The Jayhawks are 3-6 against the spread, and the Tigers are 5-4 ATS. Kansas went 1-3 ATS in its four games away from home court against tough opponents, and this will be its first true road game of the season.

Missouri has struggled ATS, but most of its losses have been trying to cover massive spreads at home against bad teams. The Tigers' only game with a single-digit spread was on the road as a 2.5-point favorite over Wichita State, and they covered in overtime. This will be their first game of the season as underdogs. 

Last year, Kansas won at home by 37 points and easily covered the 22-point spread, but this Missouri team is brand new. The Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against a team with a winning percentage above .600. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks are 0-4 ATS in their last four games in the same situation. 

Mizzou Arena is going to be rocking, and the defensive pressure is going to be fierce. Kansas will struggle to find its footing early in their first true road test of the season, and that early lead will allow the Tigers to hold off the Jayhawks late.

Give me Missouri to get the home upset.

Kansas vs Missouri Over/Under analysis

We talked about how great the Missouri offense is and its ability to light up the scoreboard, but Kansas can do the same if given the opportunity. If you take out those three games we mentioned earlier where the pace was slow, the Jayhawks average 85.2 points per game.

Missouri may force a ton of turnovers, but it also allows a ton of points. The Tigers rank 294th in the country, allowing 73.8 points per game. They also allow their opponents to make 9.1 3-pointers per contest and pull down 12.7 offensive rebounds per game. This is where Wilson can make Missouri pay.

It is going to be fast-paced, there are going to be turnovers, and there will be plenty of made shots. On top of that, many of the missed shots will likely get rebounded by the offense for easy put-backs.

This game should be able to go well Over the total.

Kansas vs Missouri betting trend to know

The Over is 10-3 in the Tigers' last 13 games overall. Find more College basketball betting trends for Kansas vs. Missouri.

Kansas vs Missouri game info

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