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12/15/22 7:02 PM

#14903 RE: EZ2 #14891

Ut Oh! IU vs Kansas on Saturday= Lordy lordy

Will Jayhawks whoop our butt? (probably)

Matchups to Watch
This game is going to produce some fun individual matchups. Jalen Wilson and Jackson-Davis in the front court in a battle of KenPom Player of the Year candidates (Wilson is No. 2, Jackson-Davis No. 10) is the showcase. But Xavier Johnson and Dajuan Harris in a matchup of excellent passing guards and veteran floor generals is another worth watching.

From a team perspective, the game looks like it may be decided from the paint. The Hoosiers are excellent from inside the arc this season, with a two-point percentage of 58%, which is 15th-best nationally. But in both of Indiana’s losses, this definitely was not the case. IU only hit 11-31 (35.5%) from two against Rutgers and 19-44 (43.2%) in the loss to Arizona.

Meanwhile, the Hoosiers’ defense is holding opponents to just 43.7% shooting from two on the season, but Arizona was able to exploit IU’s defense and 21-38 (55%) from inside the arc. Indiana can also give up offensive rebounds because of that lack of size in the front court, so being able to extend possessions beyond one shot will be important for Kansas

Prediction
Kansas is coming off an impressive and emotionally charged game against Missouri but with a full week in between games, the Jayhawks should be rested. And Allen Fieldhouse is going to be a factor. This is going to be the loudest the arena has been so far this year. And while Indiana has played two road games already, this is a different level of hostile environment.

The Jayhawks match up well with the Hoosiers and it helps that Indiana is not going to take a ton of threes. Though Kansas better be ready to battle in the paint and rebound. The KU offense has been much better since coming back from the Bahamas and it’s hard to pick against the Jayhawks with AFH rocking. I’m going to say Wilson goes toe-to-toe with Jackson-Davis, Kevin McCullar continues his hot stretch, and Kansas eeks out a close win.

full https://www.si.com/college/kansas/basketball/indiana-vs-kansas-basketball-preview-a-blue-blood-battle-in-afh