College Basketball on Friday and we will see the Oregon State Beavers travel to the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri to take on the Kansas Jayhawks. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised live on Jayhawk TV. Currently the odds for the game have Kansas favored by 12 points while the total sits at 142. Check out Sportsbook Spy to see who the Public is taking on all of today's games.
Free Analysis: The Beavers are off to their second consecutive 4-1 to start, marking the first time the program has endured just s single loss through the first five games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. The Beavers bring a modest two-game winning streak into the contest following a 78-65 home triumph over Montana State on Sunday. It was Oregon State's first game since losing two-time captain and starting center Angus Brandt for the year to a knee injury suffered during the team's 66-58 victory over Purdue on Nov. 16 in the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden. Oregon State was fueled by a spectacular performance by Joe Burton in its most recent outing, as the senior big man set a career-high with 21 points and added 10 rebounds for good measure. The diminutive Ahmad Starks nearly recorded a double-double versus Montana State as well with 14 points and nine boards. Eric Moreland did manage a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Starks paces the team with 14.6 ppg, while Burton (11.6 ppg) and Roberto Nelson (10.8 ppg) are also double-digit scorers. Moreland is the top rebounder with 10.4 caroms per contest. Moreland has swatted 12 shots after leading the Pac-12 with 1.9 blocks per game as a freshman a year ago.
A three-point loss to Michigan State in the Champions Classic is the only blemish on the Jayhawks' record so far. Kansas won its fourth consecutive game on Monday by downing San Jose State, 70-57. Coach Bill Self's team is averaging 71.3 ppg and outscoring its opponents by an average of 15.7 ppg. Self has had little trouble versus opposition from the Pac-12 recently, as Kansas enters with nine straight wins versus opponents from the league. The Jayhawks are also tough at the defensive end and they lead all Division I programs with 10 blocks per game after setting a school record with 16 swats in its last appearance. Burton will struggle to replicate his career performance versus the Jayhawks with Jeff Withey in the middle. The senior center became the second player in KU history to record a triple-double his last time out by producing 16 points, 12 rebounds and 12 blocked shots versus SJSU. Withey stood out as an elite defender during the team's run to the NCAA Championship Game last season, but he now paces the squad with 14.2 ppg and 8.7 rpg as well. Freshman guard Ben McLemore has helped replace some of the lost offensive firepower by contributing 13.8 ppg. Senior guards Travis Releford (12 ppg) and Elijah Johnson (10.7 ppg) are also scoring in double digits on a consistent basis.
Free Pick: I like the Jayhawks in this one. This may not be a home game for them, but they will have plenty of the home crowd there as this game will be played just 44 miles for their home court. The Beaver have been good on offense this year, but have yet to face a defensive team like the Jayhawks, who come in allowing just 55.7 ppg on the year. The Beavers do not play that kind of defense as they have allowed 66.6 ppg on the year and they really will struggle here to stop Withey on the inside. Jayhawks just have too much offense and defense to think that OSU can keep this one close.
-25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Bulk Dollars are BACK! Bulk Dollars: $99 Gets You $150-- Click Here
Get more Free Picks from the Pregame Pros HERE.
Be sure and check out Pregame.tv every week for our videos that include handicapping tips, analysis and Free Plays.
Basketball Betting Tips
Host Marco D'Angelo along with Johnny Detroit and Bryan Leonard discuss some betting tips for College and Pro Basketball.