Kansas vs. Oregon State Prediction, Game Preview

The Kansas Jayhawks head to Kansas City, Mo. to take on the Oregon State Beavers in the Sprint Center. Below is the Kansas vs. Oregon State prediction and game preview.

Kansas vs. Oregon State Game Preview

Game Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Dec. 12
Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Mo.
Network: ESPN2

Why You Need To Care

Well, look at that. Kansas (7-1) is ranked in the top two once again. Actually, the last time the Jayhawks were slotted that high was the 2013-14 season, which ended with a third-round exit in the NCAA tournament.

Bill Self has to be content with how this season has started, though. After Michigan State and Tom Izzo handed Kansas its first loss of the season early on, the Jayhawks have knocked out win after win, picking up six straight victories along the way.

Oregon State (6-1) wishes its lone defeat came against one of the best teams in the nation, but instead it came at the hand of Valparaiso two weeks ago.

The Beavers have at least bounced back with back-to-back wins against Loyola Marymount and Nevada.

However, the Jayhawks are a whole different kind of opponent. They’ll meet in Kansas City, Mo. for the Jayhawk Shootout.

Why Kansas Will Win

The criticisms of Perry Ellis and Wayne Selden Jr. and whether or not they can actually be “the leaders” for a Kansas national title run have been shared, but you have to give them credit for what they’ve done this season. They’re combining for 30.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Frank Mason will also be a key contributor for Kansas in this one. He’s been making a lot of plays for the Jayhawks with 5.5 assists per game. The trio posted a combined 40 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists against Holy Cross on Wednesday, and they’ll have to keep that up.

Why Oregon State Will Win

Gary Payton II has an awfully big shadow to fight his way out of with his dad being one of the best point guards in NBA history. But he hasn’t seemed to lose himself so far this season. Payton has been locked in for 16.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. The 6-foot-3 senior guard needs to do it all against Kansas. The Jayhawks average 38.4 rebounds per game, so Payton’s rebounding ability could be huge. The biggest key is keeping Kansas from getting into the zone from behind the arc. Self’s team knocks down 47.2 percent of its threes, and the Beavers hold opponents to 29.2 percent from three. Contest those long-range jumpers and attack in transition.

What’s Going To Happen?

Oregon State should hold its own for most of the game, but the Jayhawks just share the ball too well for the Beavers to stop them defensively. Kansas has compiled the 25th-most assists in the nation (155), and that will be the case with Selden, Ellis and Mason all going off for double figures. Payton will have a respectable stat line, but the Jayhawks will keep every other Beaver in check and pull out a double-digit win.