BYU Cougars vs Kansas Jayhawks Picks and Predictions for Saturday, January 31, 2026
Use Code WWWC The BYU Cougars will be on the road Saturday with the 4:30 PM match-up inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS, against the Kansas Jayhawks, and we have you ready to roll with our BYU vs Kansas prediction. The BYU Cougars are ranked 13th nationally, with 17 wins and 3 losses entering Saturday. The Kansas Jayhawks return home Saturday with a 15 -5 record and ranked #14 in the nation. BYU comes into this matchup struggling a bit, having lost two of the last three following a three-point loss to Arizona in their last outing. The Kansas Jayhawks come into Saturday running hot on a four-game winning streak after a 24-point road victory against Kansas State. Read more about this Siena vs Iona prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
BYU looks to return to form
The BYU offense averaged 86.7 points on 49% shooting from the floor this season, but the Cougars have averaged only 77 points per game over their last two losses. Defensively, BYU is allowing 70.9 points per game this season and has averaged 85 points per game over its last two losses. The BYU offense scored well last time out, pouring in 83 points, including 52 in the second half, on 40% shooting, and the Cougars knocked down 13 triples. Defensively, BYU was outmatched, giving up 86 points on 53% shooting from the floor. BYU lost the rebounding by two and turned the ball over 12 times in the loss. AJ Dybansta led the way for the BYU offense in their last outing with 24 points in 35 minutes. Richie Saunders chipped in a second-best 18 points on 11 shots. Canard Davis junior will start on the roster with 15 points on eight shots in 31 minutes. The BYU bench combined to score 11 points on 7 shots, with four players contributing.
AJ Dybansta leads the BYU offense this season with 23.6 points per game. Richie Saunders is second, averaging 18.8 points in just under 32 minutes per contest. Robert Wright the 3rd averaged 17.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Dawson Baker has averaged a fourth-best 7.5 points per game this season, but has played just six times. Kennard Davis Jr. is averaging 7.2 points per game. Big man Keba Keita averages 6.9 points and leads the team with 7.8 rebounds per game.
Key Injury Report for BYU:
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- Xavion Staton (Questionable) - Undisclosed
- KJ Perry (Out) - Redshirt
- Dawson Bakers (Out) - Knee
- Nate Pickens (Questionable) - Undisclosed
- Brody Kozlowski (Out) - Redshirt
Kansas tries to stay hot
The Kansas Jayhawks' offense has averaged 78.3 points on 47% shooting from the floor this season, and Kansas is averaging 81.25 points per game during its current 4-game winning streak. Defensively, Kansas has been top-tier as well, holding opponents to 67.3 points per game this season. Defensively, Kansas was the better team in their last outing, giving up only 62 points as Kansas State shot 34% from the floor and 34% from beyond the arc. Offensively, the Jayhawks rolled, scoring 86 points on 53% shooting from the floor. Kansas won the rebounding battle by 11 and forced 8 turnovers to seal the victory. Flory Bidunga led the way for the Kansas offense in their last outing, as one of four starters in double digits with 21 points on 13 shots in 33 minutes. Melvin Council Jr. added a second-best 17 points in 38 minutes. Bryson Tiller scored 16 points, and Tre White chipped in a fourth-best 13 points on eight shots. Elmarko Jackson led the way off the Kansas bench with 19 points on seven shots and 27 minutes.
Tre White is leading the Kansas offense this season, averaging 14.9 points per game. Darryn Peterson has averaged 21.6 points per game this season for Kansas, but has played just 10 times. Big man Flory Bidunga is third on the roster after 14.4 points to go along with the team-leading 9 rebounds per game. Melvin Council Jr. averages a 4th-best 13.7 points and leaves the team dishing out 5.2 assists. Bryson Tiller is fifth on the roster, averaging 8.4 points in just under 25 minutes per game.
Key Injury Report for Kansas:
- Darryn Peterson (Probable) - Ankle
- Will Thengvall (Questionable) - Undisclosed
BYU vs Kansas Pick
- BYU vs Kansas Spread Pick
Kansas is coming into Saturday playing better basketball, and that will be the difference. Look for The Jayhawks to jump on a struggling BYU team from the opening tip, as the Jayhawks set the tone. Take Kansas to make the plays on both ends of the floor and control this game in front of their home crowd. Kansas will continue its winning ways as it climbs the rankings Saturday with a home victory. Take the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday afternoon to get the win and cover at home in a top 15 matchup against BYU.
- BYU vs Kansas Over/Under Pick
Both teams will score the ball well, but Saturday will be a defensive show. Look for The Jayhawks to lock in on their end of the floor as they stifled BYU. The Cougars will try to respond with a good defensive effort to end their recent skid. Look for both teams to struggle to score as each defends with the best of their ability. Take Kansas to get the win and cover at home Saturday afternoon, but the number will go well under the total in this game.
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