Cincinnati vs Kansas Predictions, Picks, and Odds: Bearcats Keep March Madness Hopes Alive

The Cincinnati Bearcats were nearly upset in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament. 
 
But after that scare, they are now the upset pick as they battle a depleted Kansas Jayhawks side in Round 2 — so much so Cincy is now a one-point favorite in the Big 12 Tournament odds.
 
With a March Madness odds berth locked up, how much resistance can the Jayhawks provide down their Top 2 scorers in Kevin McCullar Jr. and Hunter Dickinson?
 
Read below for my free college basketball picks for Cincinnati vs. Kansas preview on March 13 and see if my best bet has the 11th-seeded Bearcats moving on to meet Baylor. 

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Cincinnati vs Kansas best odds

Cincinnati vs Kansas picks and predictions

Trailing by as many as 16 points to the bottom-seeded West Virginia Mountaineers, Simas Lukosius and Day Day Thomas refused to let Cincinnati’s season end.

The pair combined to drill seven 3-pointers each on a combined 22 attempts to complete the comeback. That’s now back-to-back games the Cincinnati Bearcats have topped 90 points. Cincinnati must now hope its defense returns to form after WVU set it ablaze, shooting 55.4% from the field.

This is a squad that holds opponents to 68.4 points per game — which ranks 68th in the NCAA — while limiting teams to 42.3% shooting (63rd). The Bearcats will now take on a Kansas side simply tuning up for the big dance, minus its two stars. 

The Jayhawks won the lone regular season matchup, but it was a tough one at Allen Fieldhouse, as KU prevailed 74-69. McCullar and Dickinson combined to score 30 in the win.

The Jayhawks limited Cincy to 39.3% shooting — including a 3-for-18 mark from deep — but they couldn’t keep the Bearcats off the glass and got outrebounded 40-29.

It’s hard to look at any of KU’s numbers and apply them so long as McCullar (knee) and Dickinson (shoulder) are on the shelf — a combined 36.3 points per game this season — but perhaps the Jayhawks defense can carry them. The Jayhawks allow 68.6 points per game and hold teams to 40.5% shooting.

However, the momentum here is all with Cincinnati, and the only thing that will get it close to March Madness is a deep run in the Big 12. I think Kansas cobbles together a strong effort but eventually falls short to a desperate Bearcats squad.

My best bet: Cincinnati (-110 at DraftKings)

Cincinnati vs Kansas same-game parlay

Cincinnati -1

Simas Lukosius Over 2.5 made threes

Aziz Bandaogo Over 7.5 rebounds

Nicolas Timberlake Under 12.5 points

+750 at DraftKings

After going bombs away Tuesday, Lukosius’ 3-point make line has been set for 2.5. This isn’t an overreaction to the seven triples against West Virginia, as the junior from Lithuania has been on fire down the home stretch.

Lukosius has hit at least three moneyballs in eight of his last 11 contests, and I like him staying hot against the Jayhawks.

Staying with the Bearcats, big man Aziz Bandaogo ripped down 13 boards against West Virginia, the second-highest total of this season. He also pulled down 11 boards in the last meeting against the Jayhawks, and the only big with legit minutes for KU is Parker Braun. I like the advantage for the senior from Senegal.

Finally, I’ll finish with the scoring line for Nicolas Timberlake, set at 12.5 points. Several Jayhawks are being tasked to up their scoring, but I’m not sure the senior guard is the one who delivers. 

Yes, he did go for 18 in the second-to-last game of the season in a blowout over Kansas State, but he has topped this line five times in 31 games this season. Cincinnati’s D will make it tough for Kansas all game, and Timberlake’s numbers won’t add up.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Cincinnati vs Kansas spread and Over/Under analysis

The books know there’s an upset in the making, but it’s hard to move from this spread, which has only climbed to 1.5 points from the one-point line opening. 

KU has failed to cover in three of its last four outings and is 13-17-0 ATS on the season, while the Bearcats are split at 16-16-0 ATS.

Not surprising the total hasn’t even sniffed 139 points, topping out at 138.5 after opening at 136.5, but that’s the McCullar-Dickinson effect here. Cincinnati’s Over record is 17-15-0. The Jayhawks are hovering around .500, with the Over going 14-15-1.

Cincinnati vs Kansas betting trend to know

The Bearcats have hit the Over in four straight games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Cincinnati vs. Kansas.

Cincinnati vs Kansas game info

Cincinnati vs Kansas key injuries

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