It's painful to bet against my Wildcats, but I think there is great value here with the Jayhawks on the road against rival Kansas State. KU is coming off a very disappointing home loss, while the Wildcats are riding high after a big win on the road over Baylor. The first meeting was very competitive, but I think Kansas has the ability to get guys like DJ Johnson in foul trouble and really deflate Kansas State. Lay it with the Jayhawks.

The Jayhawks beat Kentucky in a national showcase statement game before taking care of Baylor to stay in control of the Big 12 race. But they were unable to weather 18 three-pointers from Iowa State on Saturday and suffered a home loss as a 10-point favorite. Kansas is fortunate because rival Kansas State upset Baylor on Saturday, keeping the Jayhawks in first place. Although both teams are on short rest, I look for Kansas to bounce back against a Wildcats team that exhausted a ton of energy to outlast the Bears.

Paradoxically, I would feel better about this pick had the Jayhawks beaten Iowa State and the Wildcats downed Baylor on Saturday. Given that neither happened, the visitors might be more determined. However, the nature of the Sunflower Showdown rivalry and the fact that KU beat K-State on a disputed buzzer-beater should help the hosts refocus, along with them seeking to get off the NCAA Tourney bubble. Off-the-court problems that include the suspension of Carlton Bragg, who could sit this one out, are distracting the Jayhawks.