Kansas Jayhawks begin 2-game road trip Saturday vs. Utah Utes: Analysis and prediction
The No. 17-ranked Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team is in Utah on Saturday to play the Utes in another Big 12 men’s basketball game.
KU beat Colorado on Tuesday, while Utah lost to Cincinnati.
Here’s a scouting report and prediction for Saturday’s contest, the first of a two-game series for the Jayhawks in the beehive state; KU plays at BYU Tuesday
No. 17 Kansas vs. Utah
When/where: 9 p.m. Saturday, Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City
TV/streaming: ESPN
Opponent’s record: 13-11
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) ranking: 84
Betting line: Kansas is an 8.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats only include Division I competition.
Utah Strengths
OK defense: The Utes rank No. 89 in adjusted defensive efficiency (102.7). Adjusted defensive efficiency is the number of points allowed per 100 possessions. KU ranks No. 5 in the same metric.
Converters inside: Utah ranks No. 50 in 2-point percentage (55.3).
Sharing is caring: Utah ranks No. 1 in assist rate (61.7). Meanwhile, KU ranks No. 20.
Utah Weaknesses
Free-throw struggles: Utah ranks No. 362 in free-throw percentage (62%).
Turnover issues: The Utes rank 233rd in turnover percentage (18.1%).
Block magnets: Utah ranks No. 357 in blocked-shots percentage (13.2%).
Utah Name to Know
6-foot-6 senior guard Gabe Madsen (No. 55)
+ Quality scorer (15.3 PPG)
+ Great free-throw shooter (84.1% at the line)
- Struggling from deep (32.1% on 3-pointers)
- Turnover prone (2 TPG)
- Not much of a rebounder (2.3 RPG).
Game Prediction
And so begins the Jayhawks’ long road trip.
KU will visit the Utes Saturday and BYU in Provo on Tuesday.
“I think this is great,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “We didn’t get a Thanksgiving trip, we didn’t get a trip in November that’s a team-bonding trip where you go to Maui or Bahamas or whatever. Well, instead of going to Nassau, we’re going to go to Salt Lake and Provo.”
The Jayhawks obviously hope to return to Lawrence on a three-game win streak. After beating Colorado at Allen Fieldhouse Tuesday, their next obstacle is beating the Utes on their home turf in Utah.
The key for the Jayhawks will be forcing the Utes to turn over the ball. Utah’s prone to security issues in that regard.
KU isn’t the best at forcing turnovers, but the Jayhawks would do well to tighten up defensively and pop a few loose Saturday. Kansas also needs to defend well inside the arc, as Utah ranks No. 50 nationally in 2-point percentage.
I like KU to win, but not to cover, in this one.
Kansas 73, Utah 66
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Kansas (-8.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 19-5
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 14-10
KU Player to watch: KJ Adams
KU forward KJ Adams had a great game against the Buffs, finishing with a stat line of 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. His impact was felt all over the court.
For the Jayhawks to live up to their own long-term aspirations, this is the version of Adams they need. He’ll be asked to affect things on both ends of the court, like he did against the Buffs.
This story was originally published February 15, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Kansas Jayhawks begin 2-game road trip Saturday vs. Utah Utes: Analysis and prediction."
