Game Primer: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Kansas at Texas

Everything you need to know as the Jayhawks head back on the road for a brutal stretch that starts with the Longhorns.

The Kansas Jayhawks had a fantastic week, with two huge wins at home to revive their chances in the Big 12 Conference race. But there is still a long way to go, as they head on the road to take on two highly ranked opponents. Up first are the Texas Longhorns.

The Longhorns are led by 4th-year head coach Vic Schaefer, who has an incredible 92-29 record at the school. He is 5-1 against the Jayhawks since he came to Austin, with the one loss being a huge upset during the 2021-2022 season at home. Kansas head coach Brandon Schneider has a 2-15 record against the Longhorns in his time with the Jayhawks.

Texas leads the overall series 34-12, including a 16-5 record down in Austin. They have won the last three meetings between the teams.

Before today's important matchup, here are the essentials:

The Numbers

Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are provided by CBB Analytics. CBB Analytics is a new stats website in college hoops, covering both men and women's basketball in D-I, D-II and D-III. You can follow them on Twitter @CBBAnalytics

Kansas: 9-7 (2-3 Big 12): CBB Analytics Adjusted Net Rating - 44th overall, 45th offense, 63rd defense

#11 Texas: 16-2 (3-2 Big 12): Net Rating - 2nd overall, 6th offense, 3rd defense

Line: -4.5

O/U: 138.5

How to Watch

Tuesday, January 16th, 7:00 p.m. CST

Austin, TX: Moody Center

TV: Longhorn Network

- Alex Loeb (Play-by-Play), Andrea Loyd (Analyst)

Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network

- Steven Davis (Play-by-Play), David Lawrence (Analyst)

Webcast: Kansas Online Radio

Game Coverage

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Opponent Team Form

It is not a stretch to say that this is a better team than any that Kansas has already faced this season, and it will easily be the toughest road opponent. Offensively, the Longhorns are extremely difficult to handle, with multiple players that play straight up and can find their way to the basket. They take a ridiculous 81.6% of their shots from inside the arc, but don't think that's because they can't shoot outside. Their 37.4% shooting as a team is 13th in the nation, while their 35.3% inside the arc is good for 20th. They don't turn the ball over, and they are the best in the nation at creating extra opportunities.

Defensively, they are "only" 47th in rebounding percentage and 52nd in block percentage, but those are the weakest areas of their defense. The quick pace works well for them, but can also be a detriment if the other team is playing well at the accelerated pace, given that they aren't as good playing slow. But they force turnovers well, and effect shots enough that it's hard for teams to ever get truly comfortable.

But in conference play, some of those trends have really flipped. It's not that they aren't actually good at those things anymore or that the non-conference was bad (it wasn't), but teams like Baylor and Kansas State have shown teams how to be successful against Texas. The big difference has been in the way that defensive teams have pushed them, as there have been even fewer three pointers and the shooting percentage from three have dropped off significantly in conference play. Texas hasn't been a good assists team anyway, but it has been even worse in conference play. 

Players to Watch

Madison Booker - 6'1" Freshman Forward

Season: 14.1 pts, 5.2 rebs, 4.7 asts, 1.3 stls, 48.3% 2P%
Last 5: 20.4 pts, 7.4 rebs, 6.2 asts, 1.4 stls, 54.1% 2P%

Booker has been dominant all season long, but she has really had to step it up after the Longhorns lost star guard Rori Harmon to a season-ending injury. She has been up to the task, increasing her output in every significant statistical category. She will be a handful for Taiyanna Jackson and Danai Papadopoulou in the post tonight.

Aaliyah Moore - 6'1" Junior Forward

Season: 8.7 pts, 4.4 rebs, 0.8 stls, 48.3% 2P%
Last 5: 11.4 pts, 5.6 rebs, 0.8 stls, 69.7% 2P%

Moore is another player that has stepped up in a big way, but he increase hasn't been quite as pronounced. She is one of the first players off the bench. She's been shooting better in conference play, which has at least in part been due to getting some better shot opportunities.

Shaylee Gonzales - 5'9" Senior Guard

Season: 10.2 pts, 3.2 rebs, 1.8 asts, 1.7 stls, 44.4% 3P%
Last 5: 9.4 pts, 4.6 rebs, 2.0 asts, 2.2 stls, 37.5% 3P%

Kansas fans may remember Gonzales from her 26-point outing in Lawrence last season, but there has been a definite dropoff in her production. She is still an important part of the lineup, especially with Harmon out, but she hasn't been able to take that step up yet that Texas needs.

Matchups to Watch

Booker is listed as a forward, but she pretty much plays all over the court. It's likely that S'mya Nichols will be called on to try and keep her at least somewhat in check. The Big 12 Freshman of the Week leads the Jayhawks in several categories, and she will need to continue to be productive while also limiting Booker.

The interior defense is going to be super important here as well. Texas like to drive and open space elsewhere, so Holly Kersgieter, Zakiyah Franklin and Wyvette Mayberry need to be able to defend without fouling. And with how big of a dropoff there was against Oklahoma State, the availability of Taiyanna Jackson, mainly by avoiding foul trouble, will be huge.

Prediction

At first glance it is hard to imagine that this one would be close, but there are few things that are trending to the Jayhawks. The injury to Rori Harmon has had a huge effect on this team. The struggles they have seen have mainly come against other really good teams, but the metrics still show some glaring problems. Kansas seems likely to be able to compete inside, and the recent shooting for the Jayhawks should give them a chance. It's still hard to see them pulling off the win, but I won't be shocked with a nail-biter.

Texas 71, Kansas 69.

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