Cincinnati vs. Kansas odds, props, predictions: Bearcats cap stretch of top-25 matchups with road trip vs. No. 3 Jayhawks

The Jayhawks are on upset watch tonight against Cincinnati as they try to avoid losing consecutive games for the first time this season. The Bearcats are looking to do get their season back on track, having lost three of their last four. It will be a massive challenge for Cincinnati, who have struggled after an excellent 12-2 start to their season.

With defeats in three of their last four, Cincinnati needs to play better in clutch time, as all three of their losses came by four or fewer points. Cincinnati has an 8-10 ATS record and, even with a few recent losses, has covered three of their last five. Kansas is even worse with just a 7-11 ATS record — even in wins this season, they have struggled to cover many large spreads. 

Here is the Cincinnati vs. Kansas betting news, player props and a betting prediction. The game tips off at 9 p.m. on ESPN.

Live odds for Cincinnati vs. Kansas

Here are the spread, moneyline and total points live odds for Cincinnati vs. Kansas at the best online sportsbooks.

Bet now at the best college basketball betting sites using the latest sportsbook promos and bonuses.

Cincinnati Bearcats betting news

Cincinnati's strong start to their season came against a relatively weak schedule, only beating one major conference opponent before the start of Big 12 play. While Bearcats rank 112th for the strength of schedule on Kenpom, that is due to the strength of the Big 12. Cincinnati's nonconference strength of schedule was 296th. 

The Bearcats need some improvements on offense, as their adjusted defensive efficiency rating is 22nd, and their offense ranks 68th for adjusted efficiency. Cincinnati has three players scoring in double figures and another five who score at least 7.5 PPG. The balanced scoring approach makes them tough to defend, but it has hurt them at the end of games without a go-to player. 

The Bearcats' defeats this season come almost exclusively in close contests. They need one of their players to step up and become a go-to option, as no player on their team averages more than 13 PPG. Dan Skillings Jr. has three games this season with 24-plus points but also eight games scoring in single digits. If he can become that go-to guy, as he has shown the ability to do, it could raise the ceiling of the Bearcats substantially.

Check and bet: College basketball odds | March Madness betting sites

Kansas Jayhawks betting news

Consistency is the key to the Jayhawks in any matchup. Simply put, they have more talent than maybe any team in the nation. Yet their biggest struggle has been playing to their potential, especially in matchups where they are favored between four and 10 points. 

In 10 matchups favored between four and 10 points, Kansas has lost three outright and only covered the spread four times. Opponents that have enough talent to compete with Kansas but probably should not beat them can give them trouble. Kansas lets teams hang around instead of putting them away and gets themselves in tight battles that should have never happened. 

Cincinnati's a solid team, but their leading scorer would narrowly beat out K.J. Adams, the Jayhawks' third-leading scorer, who averages 12.7 PPG. Kansas is the only team in the nation with two top-50 scorers. Hunter Dickinson scores 19.3 PPG, and Kevin McCullar leads the team at 20 PPG. 

Kansas ranks 26th on Kenpom for both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. They also have the 26th-ranked strength of schedule and boast several really impressive wins. Simply put, when they play their best, only a handful of teams can beat them. But they need to become more consistent if they want to win the Big 12 and be a national championship contender.

Cincinnati vs. Kansas player props at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Jayhawks have some of the top scorers in the country, and the Bearcats boast a strong cast of balanced scorers in a team-first approach. That makes player props for tonight's contest one of the more interesting betting markets. FanDuel Sportsbook has excellent value odds for player props.

Day Day Thomas player props

• 10.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• Threes: 1+ (-230), 2+ (+188), 3+ (+550)

Viktor Lahkin player props

• 11.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)
• 6.5 rebounds OVER (-118) / UNDER (-118)

John Newman player props

• 9.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 5.5 rebounds OVER (-116) / UNDER (-120)

Daniel Skillings player props

• 9.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 4.5 rebounds OVER (-118) / UNDER (-118)
• Threes: 1+ (-210), 2+ (+220), 3+ (+580)

Hunter Dickinson player props

• 18.5 points OVER (-110) / UNDER (-120)
• 10.5 rebounds OVER (-108) / UNDER (-130)

Kevin McCullar player props

• 18.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
• 5.5 rebounds OVER (-120) / UNDER (-116)
• 4.5 assists OVER (-108) / UNDER (-130)
• Threes: 2+ (-118), 3+ (+235), 4+ (+550)

KJ Adams player props

• 13.5 points OVER (+100) / UNDER (-130)
• 5.5 rebounds OVER (-122) / UNDER (-114)

Cincinnati vs. Kansas prediction: Jayhawks avoid another upset

Kansas has not lost consecutive games all season; each time they have lost a game, it has served as a wake-up call. They've also covered the spread in every matchup following a loss. Cincinnati will have a tough time keeping things close on the road. 

Pick: Kansas