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TCU (22-10) vs Kansas (22-9)
- When: Mar 12 2026, 9:30 PM
- Where: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Where to watch: ESPN2
TCU vs (14) Kansas Preview & Prediction
Spread: Kansas -5.5
Moneyline: Kansas (-240)
Total: 144.5
Kansas Jayhawks: The Slightly Rested Bluebloods
Kansas strolls into the Big 12 quarterfinals looking like a team that just found the remote after a chaotic regular season. The Jayhawks finished strong with a 104-85 demolition of Kansas State, which was their polite way of saying, “Relax everyone, we still remember how to play basketball.”
The star of the show is freshman guard Darryn Peterson, who averages 19.9 points per game and appears to have finally found the trainer’s room exit. After missing 11 games with a collection of injuries that sounded like a full medical textbook, Peterson closed the regular season by dropping 27 points while shooting 10 of 15 from the field.
Kansas has proven it can beat the big dogs this year, knocking off teams like Arizona, Iowa State, and Houston. When the Jayhawks are rolling offensively, they can turn a close game into a scoreboard avalanche in about five minutes.
And since Kansas already beat TCU once this season in a 104-100 overtime thriller, they probably feel like they know the cheat codes for this matchup.
TCU Horned Frogs: The Team Nobody Wants to Play
Meanwhile, TCU shows up to Kansas City riding a six-game winning streak and the confidence of a team that just discovered momentum is a real thing.
The Horned Frogs survived Oklahoma State in the opening round 95-88 after trailing by double digits. Because apparently they enjoy dramatic comebacks and emotional roller coasters.
Leading the charge was David Punch, who poured in a career-high 26 points on 9 of 14 shooting. Punch averages 14.0 points per game but clearly decided tournament time was the perfect moment to turn into a scoring machine.
Forward Xavier Edmonds also did his usual double-double routine with 14 points and 11 rebounds, which is becoming something of a hobby for him lately.
TCU has not exactly been known as a shooting powerhouse this season, ranking near the bottom of the Big 12 in efficiency. But they suddenly shot 50.7 percent in their last game, which is either a sign of improvement or the basketball gods messing with Vegas.
LVSB Betting Prediction
Kansas has the rest advantage, the better offensive ceiling, and a healthy Darryn Peterson at the exact right time. That is usually a dangerous combination in March.
TCU’s momentum should keep this one interesting early, but Kansas tends to figure things out when the stakes rise.
Expect the Jayhawks to pull away late while everyone pretends they were never worried.
Final Score: Kansas 77, TCU 70
Lean: Kansas -5.5
Total: Over 144.5
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
