Kansas vs. Houston: Massive 12 Tournament Semifinal Preview, Odds, and Predictions
The Kansas Jayhawks (23-9, 13-6 Big 12) and the Houston Cougars (27-5, 15-4 Big 12) will face off in the second semifinal of the 2026 Big 12 Tournament on Friday night at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas advanced after defeating TCU 78-73 in the quarterfinals, while Houston secured their spot with a 73-66 win over BYU. This marks the second meeting between these two teams this season, with Kansas having won the first encounter 69-56 on February 24th.
Game Details
- Teams: Kansas Jayhawks vs. Houston Cougars
- Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Betting Odds (as of March 13, 2026)
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Houston is a 4.5-point favorite. Here’s a breakdown of the key betting lines:
- Spread: Houston -4.5
- Over/Under: 139.5 points
- Money Line: Houston -219, Kansas +180
Recent Performance
Kansas defeated TCU 78-73 in the quarterfinals, with Darryn Peterson leading the Jayhawks with 24 points in a season-high 37 minutes. Houston overcame BYU 73-66 in their quarterfinal matchup.
Key Players to Watch
Darryn Peterson, a potential No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, is a key player for Kansas. For Houston, Emanuel Sharp is expected to be a significant contributor.
Projection Model Insights
The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated this game 10,000 times and predicts the Over on the total (139.5 points). The model notes that the total has gone over in six of Kansas’s last seven games played in March. It projects four Kansas players to score 11.8 points or more, led by Darryn Peterson at 17.2 points. For Houston, three players are projected to score 12.4 points or more, with Emanuel Sharp leading at 17 points. The model is projecting a combined total of 142 points, with the Over hitting in approximately 67% of simulations.
What the Model Says
The SportsLine Projection Model indicates that one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations, but that information is available exclusively at SportsLine.
Where to Watch
The game will be broadcast on Fubo. Fubo offers a free trial.
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