🏀 Kansas vs. Arizona Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Picks Today (Feb. 28)

No. 14 Kansas is responsible for one of No. 2 Arizona’s two losses on the season, as the Wildcats look to avenge an 82-78 loss from 19 days ago. Tipoff from McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, Ariz., is set for 4 p.m. ET (ESPN).

The Wildcats are an 8.5-point betting favorite, but my Kansas vs. Arizona prediction expects a high-scoring affair with projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick Darryn Peterson expected to play in this rematch. To go along with my score prediction, my top player prop bet involves another guard who has torched ranked opponents all season.

🏀 Kansas vs. Arizona picks & odds today: Feb. 28

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 3.0 units | Max profit: 2.8 units

💰 Kansas vs. Arizona prediction & best bet

Over 146.5 (-110)

These teams combined for 160 points on Feb. 9, despite Kansas entering with a rim rate allowed in the 22nd percentile and a 98th percentile efficiency rating. But its defense also regressed significantly against top-50 competition, allowing 1.11 points per possession at the rim compared to a season-long average of 0.98.

The Jayhawks scored 82 points against Arizona without Darryn Peterson. With him healthy, their offensive efficiency, points per 40 minutes, field-goal percentage, and effective field-goal percentage all improve. That's why I'm backing the Over at DraftKings' -110 odds.

Score prediction: Arizona 79, Kansas 71

🔥 Best Kansas vs. Arizona player prop bet

Jaden Bradley Over 13.5 points (-102)

Jaden Bradley scored 17 points (second-most on the team) in a win against Houston, despite not making a 3-point field goal and only shooting 50% from the free-throw line. As that was the team’s last game against a ranked opponent, Bradley had entered that game averaging 16.3 points while shooting 50% from beyond the arc and producing three 20-point games against ranked opponents this year.

Kansas held Bradley to a season-low six points on 2-of-8 shooting in the first meeting. But I am treating that more as a one-off, given Bradley’s ability to be clutch against the best competition. Since that game, his point total has increased in four straight, and he gets to the free-throw line at an elite rate (17th-highest in Big 12 play).

The best price for this prop bet is -102 via FanDuel, as it’s juiced as high as -125 elsewhere.

🚀 Kansas vs. Arizona same-game parlay

Kansas has three wins over AP top-5 competition, which is tied for the most of any D-I team. The Jayhawks have also averaged 78.3 points per game in those wins, so a high-scoring game should be in order, especially since they are well-rested having been off since last Monday.

Wildcats guard Brayden Burries scored a game-high 25 points in the first meeting between these teams. That is why I’m pivoting to the Over on Jalen Bradley’s points, given that Bill Self is likely to devote more defensive attention to Burries.

💡 How I'm betting Kansas vs. Arizona

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

My best bet on the Over is likely to be a contrarian play, as Kansas is one of the most profitable teams to the Under this season (9-19 O/U record). But the Jayhawks have scored 84, 82, and 69 points in three wins over AP top-5 teams, and that is worthy of a one-unit play on their point spread in addition to the total. 

📊 Live Kansas vs. Arizona odds

Caesars was the only one of our best sports betting sites as of Friday afternoon to offer Kansas +9, as the rest of the market was a half-point lower at +8.5. The O/U had a wider range from 146.5 to 147.5, and the Over of 147.5 was juiced as high as -115 at FanDuel. 

📈 Kansas vs. Arizona betting trends

📺 How to watch Kansas vs. Arizona

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 28
• Tipoff: 4 p.m. ET
• Location: McKale Memorial Center (Tucson, Ariz.)
• TV: ESPN