Kansas and BYU Square off in Semifinals
The Kansas Jayhawks and the surprising BYU Cougars square off tonight in the semifinals of the 2019 Maui Jim Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament. The Invitational began Monday with a pair of surprising afternoon results. Fifth-ranked Kansas avoided any possible drama during the evening session. The Jayhawks aim for another smooth outing Tuesday night against BYU at Lahaina, Hawaii. The teams meet for the first time since the second round of the 1993 NCAA Tournament. Kansas posted a 90-76 victory.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN; LINE: 12.5; O/U: 146
After watching previously unbeaten Georgia and No. 3 Michigan State lose in Monday’s early session, Kansas cruised to a 93-63 victory over Division II Chaminade. They won easily by shooting 55.1 percent from the field and 12-of-29 from behind the arc. Guard Devin Dotson scored a game-high 19 points. The Jayhawks will need another strong performance from him against BYU.
The Cougars pulled away in the second half of Monday’s 78-63 win over UCLA. BYU shot 62 percent from the field Monday but face a tough matchup against the taller Jayhawks minus star forward Yoeli Childs. The Jayhawks superstar is out for the first nine games because of an NCAA suspension. The Jayhawks had a 50-22 advantage in the paint against Chaminade. They boast one of the top centers in the country in senior Udoka Azubuike. He averages 13.2 points and eight rebounds.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
The Jayhawks are 4-1 on the season. The 7-foot Azubuike was limited to seven minutes in the first half Monday because of foul trouble. The center took control after the break and finished with 15 points and seven rebounds while shooting 7-of-8 from the field. “He gets the ball to the rim in an incredibly fast manner,” Chaminade coach Eric Bovaird told reporters. “It’s remarkable. Everybody talks about double-teaming him, but he catches the ball and gets it to the rim before you even have a chance to double-team him. He’s an unbelievable talent.” The Jayhawks are also strong in the backcourt. Guard Ochai Agbaji broke out of a mini-shooting slump with 11 points against the Silverswords.
BYU is 4-2 on the season. Guards Jake Toolson and T.J. Haws scored a combined 35 points Monday to lead the Cougars. BYU was picked to finish third in the West Coast Conference preseason coaches poll behind Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. Guard Zac Seijaas added nine points and 11 rebounds while forward Kolby Lee continued his strong start to the season as he added 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting. The 6′-9″, 240-pound Lee is the only post player in the rotation for the Cougars. BYU has lost to San Diego State and Boise State.
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The Dart Throw: Kansas 86, BYU 70
Maui Jim Maui Invitational Trends
BYU Cougars
- Trend Under is 4-1 in Cougars last 5 games as a favorite. Hit % 80.00% (5) O/U 1|4 Push 0 W/L
- Under is 7-2 in Cougars last 9 games as an underdog of 7.0-12.5. 77.80% (9) 2|7 0
- Under is 6-0 in Cougars last 6 games as a favorite of 7.0-12.5. 100.00% (6) 0|6 0
- Over is 4-0 in Cougars last 4 games as an underdog. 100.00% (4) 4|0 0
Kansas Jayhawks
- Trend Under is 4-1 in Jayhawks last 5 games as a favorite of 13.0 or greater. Hit % 80.00% (5) O/U 1|4 Push 0 W/L
- Under is 4-1 in Jayhawks last 5 neutral site games as a favorite. 80.00% (5) 1|4 0
- Under is 5-1 in Jayhawks last 6 games as a favorite. 83.30% (6) 1|4 0
- Under is 5-1 in Jayhawks last 6 games as an underdog of 7.0-12.5. 83.30% (6) 2|7 0
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