$10 Sign-Up Bonus Make an initial deposit of $1 or more and trade at least $10 in event contracts CODE: SBR
Claim Now

BYU vs. Kansas Prediction, Picks & Odds | College Basketball Picks Today (Jan. 31)

My BYU vs. Kansas prediction backs the home Jayhawks despite a big rebounding day from Keba Keita.
Mike Spector
Mike Spector

Last Updated: January 31, 2026 9:00 AM EST • 2 minute read

BYU Cougars forward Keba Keita (13) reacts during the first half as we break down our BYU vs. Kansas prediction.
Pictured: BYU Cougars forward Keba Keita (13) reacts during the first half as we break down our BYU vs. Kansas prediction. Photo by Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
Enjoying SBR content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account Add as a preferred source on Google

This Big 12 matchup is the only ranked vs. ranked matchup on the Saturday slate, and I break it down with my BYU vs. Kansas prediction.

Tipoff from Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. is set for 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), with No. 14 Kansas the 3.5-point betting favorite against No. 13 BYU. The Jayhawks owe the Cougars a bit of payback for last year’s 34-point drubbing in Provo, and star freshman Darryn Peterson’s expected return from injury should make all the difference.

🏀 BYU vs. Kansas predictions

See our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds.

Prediction Best odds Confidence
Kansas -3.5 -110 via FanDuel ⭐⭐⭐
Under 158.5 -110 via FanDuel ⭐⭐⭐
Keba Keita Over 7.5 rebounds -140 via bet365 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

💰 BYU vs. Kansas best bet: Kansas -3.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐

Check out all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

Although BYU last played on Monday, this is a nightmare from a scheduling perspective coming off a three-point loss to Arizona, a game the Cougars trailed by 11 with 1:22 left.

Kansas is expected to have Darryn Peterson, the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, after a one-game absence. The Jayhawks average 81.8 points per game with a healthy Peterson, and 74.7 when he doesn’t suit up. 

This is a better BYU team than the one who beat Kansas by 34 points last year, but I love Bill Self in a revenge spot.

Score prediction: Kansas 81, BYU 75

🔥 Best BYU vs. Kansas player prop: Keba Keita, BYU, Over 7.5 rebounds (-140) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

BYU should have a big advantage on the backboards against Kansas. The Cougars are the league’s best offensive rebounding team in league play, while the Jayhawks rank ninth on the defensive glass. On the other side, Kansas secures just 29.6% of its misses (ranks 223rd), while BYU ranks in the top 80 in defensive rebounding percentage.

Keba Keita provides a high floor with seven or more rebounds in 10 of the last 11 games, making the -140 odds justified for him to finish with eight-plus today.

📊 Live BYU vs. Kansas odds

📈 BYU vs. Kansas betting trends

BYU Statistic Kansas
17-3 W-L record 15-5
8-12 ATS record 13-7
10-10 O/U record 6-14
3-2 Last 5 games 4-1

📺 How to watch BYU vs. Kansas

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 31
  • Tipoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, Kan.)
  • TV: ESPN

📃 Affiliate disclosure

Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)

Written by:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike leans on his NFL experience and always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”

Related Articles

Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament moves the ball, and he's key to our Auburn vs. Tennessee prediction.

Auburn vs. Tennessee Prediction, Picks & Odds | College Basketball Picks Today (Jan. 31)

by Shane Thurston 32 minutes ago
Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) calls a play as we break down our Arizona vs. Arizona State prediction.

Arizona vs. Arizona State Prediction, Picks & Odds | College Basketball Picks Today (Jan. 31)

by Mike Spector 3 hours ago
Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) celebrates a made three-point shot as we break down our Duke vs. Virginia Tech prediction.

Duke vs. Virginia Tech Prediction, Picks & Odds | College Basketball Picks Today (Jan. 31)

by Mike Spector 4 hours ago
Freshman Brayden Burries has Arizona basketball undefeated, but the history of unbeaten teams in March Madness is mixed.

Arizona's Undefeated Chase: Can Wildcats Survive and Beat the March Madness Curse?

by Rob Paul 17 hours ago
Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg (23) is key to our Michigan vs. Michigan State prediction.

Michigan vs. Michigan State Prediction, Picks & Odds: Will Wolverines Win On Road?

by Rob Paul 1 day ago
Duke's Cameron Boozer leads a Wooden Award odds race dominated by freshmen.

Wooden Award Odds: Cameron Boozer Leads Historically Dominant Freshman Class

by Rob Paul 1 day ago