Texas Longhorns vs. Kansas Jayhawks: Odds, College Basketball Betting Pick

The Texas Longhorns (17-12) will try to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive Monday when they visit the eighth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (23-6) as big road underdogs at the sportsbooks.

The Longhorns are just 7-9 in Big 12 play, while the Jayhawks have already clinched at least a share of the conference title for the 14th straight season after Saturday's win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Point spread: The Jayhawks opened as 9.5-point favorites; the total is at 141, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College basketball betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 75.6-67.4, Jayhawks (College basketball picks on every game)

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Why the Longhorns can cover the spread

Texas is coming off a 65-64 victory against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday, as Kerwin Roach II sank the game-winning shot with 1.2 seconds remaining to keep the school in contention for an invitation to the Big Dance.

A loss at home to Oklahoma State would have severely hurt the chances of the Longhorns, who had lost four of five games heading into that matchup.

While this game versus Kansas will be difficult, Texas will be catching its opponent in a fairly good spot after topping Texas Tech to earn at least a tie for the Big 12 regular-season championship. Can you say letdown?

Why the Jayhawks can cover the spread

The Jayhawks have won the past eight meetings with the Longhorns straight up, according to the OddsShark College Basketball Database, going 5-3 against the spread. If you go back even further, they have also won 13 of the last 14 SU in the series with a 7-7 ATS mark.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Three of the previous four have been decided by double digits as well, with the exception coming on December 29 when Kansas won 92-86 at Texas as a four-point road favorite to cover the spread.

After looking like the Jayhawks might not win the Big 12 again, they have won four in a row SU and gone 3-1 ATS.

Smart betting pick

Freshman Mohamed Bamba is listed as questionable for the Longhorns due to a toe injury, and his presence would be sorely missed if he cannot play.

The 6'11" Bamba is averaging 13 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, and he logged just 15 minutes against the Cowboys before leaving. Without him, Texas could not cover the spread as a five-point favorite. Even if he does play, Kansas will win its home finale big and cover.

College basketball betting trends

Texas is 1-5 ATS in its last six games.

Texas is 1-6 SU in its last seven games on the road.

Kansas is 3-6 ATS in its last nine games at home.

All college basketball odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.