#13 BYU vs. #14 Kansas Picks and Predictions: Top Draft Picks Battle at Allen Fieldhouse
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Update: Sat Jan 31, 2026, 7:20 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
ncaab
Two top 15 teams go head to head in one of the most historic venues in all of college basketball, and this matchup has even more aura. The No. 13 BYU Cougars head to Allen Fieldhouse to take on the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks, as the projected top two picks in the NBA Draft battle it out. AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson are not only two of the most exciting freshmen in this class, but they will also be the first two players off the board in the NBA Draft this summer. Get your popcorn ready, we are in for a treat, and our CBB experts found their picks in this contest. Keep reading for a very rare two unit play.
Best Bet: Kansas -3.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
#13 BYU Cougars vs. #14 Kansas Jayhawks NCAA Basketball Insights
AJ Dybantsa is second in the nation in scoring, putting up 23.6 points per game
I don't need to set this up anymore. If you love basketball, college or pro, you are in for a treat. Despite starting the season 16-1 with a loss to UConn at TD Garden, the Cougars have dropped two of their last three, to Texas Tech on the road and to Arizona at home. Although they had a valiant comeback, they came up short against the nation's top team.
And things don't get easier. This is the Big 12. Everybody is good, and it seems impossible to win on the road. Plus, the Jayhawks have had a full week of rest and have won four straight games, while the Cougars had to go toe to toe with the Wildcats on Monday. This will be quite the showdown between two of the best young guys in the sport, and it will be the first edition of the Dybantsa vs. Peterson Saga, something we will likely be following for years to come at the professional level.
Matchup Information – BYU vs. Kansas – January 31
- Venue & Location: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, KS)
- Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
- Kick Off: 4:30 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
BYU vs. Kansas Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of January 30, 2026 at 10:31 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- BYU +3.5 (-110)
- Kansas -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- BYU +152
- Kansas -184
Total
- Over 158.5 (-110)
- Under 158.5 (-110)
#13 BYU vs. #14 Kansas NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions
Bill Self has 16 Big 12 Regular Season Titles and just 21 losses at Allen Fieldhouse in his coaching career
BYU vs. Kansas Prediction: Kansas Wins and Covers, Under 158.5
Best Bet: Kansas -3.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Full disclosure, I did not bet this spread, but I still think the Jayhawks cover. However, I did pair their moneyline with the Arkansas Razorbacks for a nice little (+108) two leg parlay, and we have two units on it. A very rare 2U play for myself. But I doubt it will be plus money closer to tip off on Saturday, as I expect the public to buy into both of these home teams.
But let's talk about the Hawks at home. It's damn near impossible to win a basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse for any visiting team. Whether it be the zebras or the power of Phog Allen, Kansas always seems to get the job done on their home court. Against a team that is very limited offensively, they should be able to do so once again.
Obviously BYU can score, but they rely too heavily on three guys. AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders and Robert Wright all average 17+ points per game, accounting for 69% of the Cougars scoring. The next guy up averages just 7.2 points. If you shut down just one of these guys, you severely hinder the Cougars' chances of putting the ball in the hoop. The Jayhawks have the defensive presence to make life hell for those three guys. I expect Tre White to be tasked with guarding Dybantsa, leaving Peterson and Elmarko Jackson to corral Wright, and Melvin Council should matchup with Saunders.
Aside from those three, the Jayhawks have a massive advantage in the front court with Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller. I see this line only moving in one direction, and I trust the power of Allen Fieldhouse to work its magic once again, leading to a Jayhawks' victory.
Still Didn't Get Your NCAA Basketball Fix?
Here at Betting News, we offer Free Expert Picks for every major sports league. We also host daily streams on our Twitch Channel with our best bets, as well as sweat out games on Playback! Be sure to tune into everything we have going on at our Youtube, TikTok, and X pages as well, and follow my personal twitter @Shaggy_Bets for my full daily card.
- Transfer Portal Update
- 2025-2026 NCAA Basketball Preview
- SEC Basketball Preview
- Big 12 Conference Picks
- Big Ten Conference Predictions
- ACC Basketball Preview
More NCAAB News
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Expands March Madness Tournament to 76 Teams Beginning in 2027
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Basketball Transfer Portal Update: Portal Entries and New Signings
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Basketball Coaching Changes: Where Are They Now?
NCAAB Betting News
#2 UConn vs. #1 Michigan Picks and Predictions: National Championship
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News
Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.