(5) Texas (+4) over *Kansas – 9:00 PM (ESPN)_
The way Kansas is trending right now, it would be hard to back them against a consistent Texas team. Yes, Kansas has played the toughest NET Strength of Schedule in the nation, but it’s not often that Kansas loses four of its last six games. If there was ever a time for the Longhorns to steal a win at Allen Fieldhouse, this might be it. Kansas has only covered the spread in two of its last eight games, while Texas is 4-1 ATS in its last five. Texas hasn’t had much success winning games in Lawrence over the years, but the Longhorns are battle-tested on the road this season in the Big 12. They already have conference road victories at Kansas State, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Texas has a very balanced offensive attack and they shoot very well from the field. Kansas, on the other hand, has been relying on one player (Wilson) recently to carry the load. I like the balance of Texas. I’m taking the Longhorns to cover.
(7) *Miami (-3.5) over Duke – 7:00 PM (ESPN)
These teams met back on January 21st and Duke escaped with a 68-66 win, though they lost ATS as -6 favorites at home. Both teams shot poorly in that contest, but the Hurricanes had it real bad, shooting just 34.9% from the field. However, they did shoot well from three, shooting 10-for-21 from beyond the arc. The Hurricanes have shot nearly 49% overall in their last five games, so they enter this game with a hot hand that should allow them to put up better shooting numbers. If they can shoot as well from three-point range again, they could roll. Miami is 12-0 straight up at home this season and 6-6 ATS there, but 4-2 ATS in their last six at home. Duke is 2-4 straight up on the road this season and 1-5 ATS away from Cameron. I like Miami to shoot much better in this game behind a fired-up crowd and a desire to make up for that two-point loss from a couple weeks back.
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