Bill Self has led the Kansas Jayhawks for 20 seasons now, but this year may be one of the most challenging yet. Kansas (16-4, 5-3 Big 12) has dropped three in a row, but Self recognizes that this is not the same squad that won a national title a year ago. Instead of one of the most experienced teams in the nation, this Kansas squad is extremely young and lacks a proven post contributor. Also, the rest of the Big 12 has improved. The most recent loss came at Baylor on Monday, 75-69. Baylor has now won five in a row, while Kansas is still looking to end their skid. If Friday night college basketball action will be part of your NCAA Basketball betting, check out our top two picks.
NCAA News: Top College Basketball Bets for the Weekend
→ Friday, January 27
North Dakota Fighting Hawks (+8.5) at North Dakota State Bison (O/U 138.5) (8:00 pm ET)
North Dakota (7-15) started the season strong, rolling out to a 5-3 record. However, they dropped their last four non-conference contests, all coming against Division I competition, and those struggles continue in Summit League play, where they have a 1-8 record. Their only win came against Kansas City last Thursday. Their first matchup against North Dakota State ended in an ugly 71-49 home loss on December 30. Since the win over Kansas City, the Fighting Hawks have lost to Oral Roberts and Western Illinois by a combined total of 12 points. The offense has been the problem, ranked #295 by KenPom for adjusted offensive efficiency. Te team shoots just 67.3% from the free-throw line as well, so even those easier points aren’t falling. Freshman forward B.J. Omot is the top scorer with just 11.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
North Dakota State (8-13) started with an 0-8 record against Division I opponents, finally breaking through with a win on December 5 over Portland, but then they followed that with three losses to go 1-11. They started 5-2 in Summit League play but have since lost to Oral Roberts and Kansas City. The team is offense-first, but their offensive rebounding and free-throw percentage (68.4%) have cost them. Their top scorer is Grant Nelson, with 15.9 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. North Dakota to cover.
Air Force Falcons (+12.5) at New Mexico Lobos (O/U 142.5) (10:00 pm ET)
Air Force (12-9) had a nice streak going with wins over Colorado State, Fresno State and Wyoming, but they have since dropped two, losing to San Diego State and San Jose State, losing that one to the Spartans by 30 despite being just 3 ½-point road underdogs. They shot just 38.8% from the floor and clanked 18 of their 22 three-point attempts. San Jose State had a dozen offensive rebounds and made 57.6% of their shots. Guard Jake Heidbreder leads the team with 14.3 points per game, as Air Force ranks #169 in the nation in points per 100 possessions (104.3).
New Mexico (18-3) had a nice winning streak going, having beaten San Diego State, San Jose State and Boise State, but then they lost at Nevada, 97-94,in double overtime, in a game taht neither team led by more than five points. New Mexico shot 54.0% from the floor and went 8 of 18 from behind the arc, but they also coughed the ball up 19 times, wasting a 33-point night by Jamal Mashburn Jr and a double-double (17 points, 10 assists) from guard Jaelen House. Morris Udeze had a double-double of his own (16 points, 10 boards). New Mexico still sits at #25 in the AP Top 25 and #42 in the KenPom rankings. They score 112.4 points per 100 possessions (36th overall) and should be primed for some payback after that tough loss. New Mexico to win and cover, take the over.
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