Rogers' Monday ESPN SHOWCASE >> Off 2-0 NCAAB SWEEP! *HOT* 17-9-1 Past 5 Days!
(NCAAB) Kansas vs. Iowa State,
Point Spread: -2.00 | -106.00 Kansas (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: No. 2 Kansas has ripped off 16 straight wins (16-1 on the season, including 5-0 in the Big 12) and could be ranked No. 1 when the new AP poll comes out Monday afternoon, before the Jayhawks take the court against the 11-5 (3-2 in Big 12 play) Iowa State Cyclones.
Kansas: Head coach Bill Self is a little concerned with Kansas' recent uneven efforts. The Jayhawks had to rally from a halftime deficit for the second straight game on Saturday at home versus Oklahoma State. Kansas trailed by nine at the half in last Tuesday's 11-point road win at Oklahoma and was down 40-36 at the break to Oklahoma State before taking the lead with 14 minutes left en route to an 87-80 home triumph. "We did not play that well, but we are not going to apologize for this. It was a good win against a good team, " Self said."I don't know if we'll be No. 1 or Villanova will jump us or whatever. It's really not a big deal." Self's got quite a perimeter group, led by PG Mason III (20.5-4.4-5.5), who joined by freshman swingman Jackson (15.6 & 6.7), Graham (13.5), junior swingman Mykhailiuk(10.8) and Vick (8.1). With the 7-0 Azubuike (5.0 & 4.40 out for the season, the 6-10 Lucas (8.1 & 7.6) starts and the 6-10 Bragg (5.9 & 5.2) comes off the bench. Kansas averages 86.4 PPG (12th) on 50.1% shooting (12th).

Iowa State: The Cyclones can run and score with most teams, averaging 81.6 PPG (36th), including averaging 86.4 PPG in going 7-1 SU at home. Iowa State can match Kansas on the perimeter with guards Long (15.7 & 4.8), Morris (15.5-5.0-5.8) , Burton (12.4 & 6.9) and Thomas (11.3 & 4.8) but may have trouble up front with only the 6-8 Bowie (8.2 & 5.4) making any real contributions.

The pick: Iowa State has won two straight at home in the series vs. Kansas and seven of the last 11 meetings overall. The Cyclones rarely lose at home in the Hilton Coliseum. It's an arena described as possessing "Hilton Magic" by the Des Moines Register back in 1989. The 14,384-seat arena includes seats just a few feet from the court and players from opposing teams, and also the home team, have said that the floor has shaken because of the noisy crowd. That all sounds good but Cincinnati won here back on Dec. 1 and the Jayhawks are a far superior team to the Bearcats. Make Kansas an 8* play.