As soon as a season, the Massive 12 takes a break proper in the course of convention season to tackle the SEC within the Massive 12-SEC Problem. That is the final yr of the problem at present scheduled, and the Kansas Jayhawks are as soon as towards matched up with the Kentucky Wildcats.

Kansas looks as if they might use a break from the robust Massive 12 slate, however there may be some query about how a lot of a break this truly is. Will Kansas have the ability to go on the street and feed off the vitality of the group? Or will the inside play of the Wildcats overwhelm KJ Adams and firm as they attempt to set up play within the put up? Our crew shares their ideas under.

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Kyle Davis

Try our Kentucky Preview for Kyle’s full breakdown and prediction.

Lucas Murphy

The Kansas Jayhawks must hit the reset button. Who remembers when the unique Nintendo would freeze or throw a number of colours on the display screen and you would need to take out the sport, blow within the backside, and begin throughout from the start? That’s precisely what this basketball group must do. Easy layups have been a battle at instances which result in lengthy stretches of not scoring. The Jayhawks play behind most of the time and within the final three video games they might not overcome such great deficits. This subsequent sport will likely be no simple job as they sq. up towards one other blue blood, the Kentucky Wildcats. Jalen Wilson continues to hold this group, however this can be a group sport and desires assist. Kansas wants somebody to return off the bench and provide high quality minutes and rating some factors. I’m going to be watching Dajuan Harris. Harris is the epitome of the reset button. These days, he has made too many errors, turning over the basketball and never driving and scoring. I’m not asking for 20 factors, however Kansas followers know what we count on from Dajuan and we’ve not been getting it.

Kansas 78, Kentucky 73.

Derek Noll

On a street journey within the late Eighties, younger me thought it might be actually cool to have cable TV within the automobile to move the time. However how? With an extended wire? Every other choices appeared inconceivable. It was simply by no means going to occur. Alas, we all know it has occurred. That is additionally the best way I really feel about Kansas shedding 4 video games in a row. Inconceivable. However KU is staring that within the eye as they journey to face a abruptly resurgent Kentucky group. Ought to I am going with 12 yr outdated me and consider the inconceivable or ought to I stand with the present actuality that Kansas has flaws and can most likely lose? I’m undecided how Kansas handles Oscar Tshiebwe, so I’ll take the inconceivable as KU falls for a fourth straight time.

Kentucky 80, Kansas 70

Brendan Dzwierzynski

There’s no method a Invoice Self-coached Jayhawks group loses 4 straight video games, proper? It appears inconceivable, but it surely’s definitely real looking given this matchup with Kentucky, who’s possibly figured issues out after a brutal stretch earlier this yr. I’ll have a look at this sport from a glass-half-full perspective and predict that Dajuan Harris gained’t have one other dangerous sport, that Jalen Wilson would be the greatest participant on the ground once more and that Self will someway assemble a top quality sport plan towards Oscar Tshiebwe, even when it contains the junkiest protection we’ve ever seen.

Kansas 75, Kentucky 74.

Andy Mitts

Just like the others have stated, this can be a sport that may simply go towards the Jayhawks, particularly given the contrasting types. Oscar Tshiebwe goes to be an issue on the within, however the Jayhawks do have choices. It’s tough to think about that Ernest Udeh and Zuby Ejiofor would get important minutes towards the Kentucky star, however they is perhaps higher matchups than KJ Adams. However Self may determine to attempt to use the velocity of Adams to maintain the Wildcats off steadiness, one thing that they have been in a position to do with nice success early within the yr.

However in the end, this sport goes to return right down to the perimeter. The Jayhawks will want Jalen Wilson, Kevin McCullar and Dajuan Harris to lock down on protection, and considered one of Joseph Yesufu or Bobby Pettiford must have a fantastic offensive sport. After all, all of that may very well be for naught if Gradey Dick goes again into his stoop.

Taking part in in Lexington, I simply get a nasty feeling about this sport. I actually hope I am unsuitable, however I simply can’t choose this group proper now, particularly in a non-conference sport towards a group that may simply benefit from a sluggish begin for the Jayhawks.

Kentucky 78, Kansas 71.

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