Kansas Jayhawks vs Colorado Buffaloes Picks and Predictions for Tuesday January 20 2026
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The Kansas Jayhawks travel to Boulder to take on the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with tipoff scheduled for 11:00 PM EST. This matchup will be televised nationally on ESPN. Kansas enters the game as the road favorite at -225 on the moneyline, while Colorado is listed at +185. The total is set at 156.5 points with both the Over and Under priced at -110, and the spread has Kansas favored by 5.5 points. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily NCAAB betting insights.
Jayhawks Aim to Stay in Control on the Road
Kansas comes into this matchup with a 13-5 overall record and has been tested in recent road games. Over their last five contests, the Jayhawks have recently won over Baylor, Iowa State, and TCU in overtime, but they have also recently lost to West Virginia and UCF, showing some vulnerability away from home despite strong offensive performances.
From a statistical standpoint, Kansas is averaging 78 points per game while allowing 67.5 points per contest. The Jayhawks are shooting 47% from the field and pulling down 39.2 rebounds per game, giving them a physical edge in the paint on both ends of the floor.
One area where Kansas consistently stands out is interior defense and rim protection. With 6.3 blocks per game, the Jayhawks do a strong job contesting shots and forcing opponents to alter their offensive approach, which often leads to scoring droughts for the opposition.
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Buffaloes Look to Defend Home Court
Colorado enters the game with a 12-6 overall record and has relied heavily on home-court energy this season. In their last five games, the Buffaloes have recently won over Utah and Arizona State, but they have also recently lost to West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Texas Tech, struggling to close out tight games against quality competition.
Offensively, Colorado is averaging 83.2 points per game while allowing 77.2 points on defense. The Buffaloes are shooting 48% from the field and averaging 15.9 assists per game, showing a balanced attack that prioritizes ball movement and shot efficiency.
One notable strength for Colorado is their ability to generate steals, averaging 6.3 per game. That defensive pressure can create transition opportunities, especially at home, where the Buffaloes tend to play with increased tempo and confidence.
Kansas Jayhawks vs Colorado Buffaloes Pick
Kansas Jayhawks vs Colorado Buffaloes Pick
- Pick: Kansas Jayhawks -5.5
Kansas gets the edge in this matchup due to their superior defensive metrics and rebounding advantage. While Colorado can score efficiently, the Jayhawks’ ability to control the paint and protect the rim should limit second-chance points and allow Kansas to gradually build separation over the course of the game.
Kansas Jayhawks vs Colorado Buffaloes Total Pick
- Pick: Under 156.5
I’m taking the Under 156.5 because Kansas tends to slow games down against capable offensive teams and force half-court sets. With the Jayhawks’ interior defense and Colorado coming off several lower-scoring losses, this game sets up to finish just below the total.
Final Score Prediction:
Kansas Jayhawks 80, Colorado Buffaloes 73
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