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The Kansas Jayhawks will be back home in Lawrence, Kan. for a visit from the Holy Cross Crusaders in the Allen Fieldhouse. Below is the Kansas vs. Holy Cross prediction and game preview.

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Kansas vs. Holy Cross Game Preview

Game Broadcast

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 9
Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kan.
Network: ESPN3

Why You Need To Care

Don’t look now but Bill Self has the Jayhawks rolling again. No 2 Kansas has won five games in a row since dropping its second game of the season to Michigan State. But hey, if you’re going to lose to anyone, losing to Tom Izzo and the Spartans isn’t the worst thing in the world.

The Jayhawks have won by an average of 23.2 points during their winning streak, and that’s more than can be said for Holy Cross right now.

The Crusaders have seen better days — as in two seasons ago. That was the last time they finished with a winning record. In his first season as head coach, Bill Carmody has his team off to a 3-5 start.

The last two haven’t gone his way, though. Back-to-back losses against Rhode Island and Albany (N.Y.) have Holy Cross thirsty for its fourth win.

The gut feeling here is that won’t happen in Lawrence.

Why Kansas Will Win

How many teams can you name with five players averaging double figures? Yeah, there aren’t many. Self’s Jayhawks are one of them though. Wayne Selden Jr., Perry Ellis, Frank Mason, Brannen Greene and Devonte’ Graham are combining for an average of 67 points per game — 74 percent of Kansas’ scoring. If they share the ball like they have been (132 assists), then the Jayhawks will have their way with Holy Cross. Defensively, just stay true to the matchups, move your feet, and force Chris Jayne to beat you from the perimeter. He’s only shooting 21.7 percent from deep, and his shooting struggles can play into Kansas’ favor.

Why Holy Cross Will Win

The Crusaders obviously need Jayne to make smart decisions with the basketball. Not only is he shooting 24.3 percent from the field, but he’s also averaging just 2.8 assists in 36.3 minutes per game. Malachi Alexander and Robert Champion also have to deliver some momentum-building threes. They’re shooting 37.5 percent from three combined, and with Kansas allowing its opponents to hit just 29.3 percent from behind the arc, they could be difference makers.



What’s Going To Happen?

Kansas will share the ball like it’s been doing and the Holy Cross defense won’t be able to keep Selden and Ellis from scoring. Mason will get his points, too, but his impact will be felt all over the floor. He’ll snag a few rebounds and create for others to help get the lead for the Jayhawks. The Crusaders will get solid play from Alexander, but the shooting will be just too inefficient to hang in with Kansas. By the time this one is over, Holy Cross will have its third straight loss.

Kansas vs. Holy Cross Prediction

Robert Judin: Kansas 84, Holy Cross 71


Jordan Cornette: Kansas 81, Holy Cross 70