Who’s Playing
UMKC @ Denver
Current Records: UMKC 5-9; Denver 9-5
What to Know
The Denver Pioneers are 1-3 against the UMKC Kangaroos since February of last year, but they’ll have a chance to close the gap a little bit Thursday. Denver and UMKC will face off in a Summit battle at 9 p.m. ET at Hamilton Gymnasium. The teams split their matchups last year, with the Pioneers winning the first 63-55 on the road and the Kangaroos taking the second 72-61.
Denver was within striking distance but couldn’t close the gap last week as they fell 57-52 to the Oregon State Beavers. Touko Tainamo had a pretty forgettable game, playing for 29 minutes with.
Meanwhile, while not quite a landslide, the game between UMKC and the South Dakota Coyotes last Monday was still a pretty decisive one as UMKC wrapped it up with a 62-45 win at home.
Barring any buzzer beaters, Denver is expected to win a tight contest. If their 8-4 record against the spread is anything to go by, the prospects look good for bets placed on them.
The Pioneers are now 9-5 while the Kangaroos sit at a mirror-image 5-9. A couple offensive numbers to keep in mind before tip-off: Denver enters the matchup with a 52.20% field goal percentage, good for second best in college basketball. On the other end of the spectrum, UMKC has only been able to knock down 39% percent of their shots, which is the 354th lowest field goal percentage in college basketball. We’ll see if Denver’s 13.20% advantage translates to a win.
How To Watch
- When: Thursday at 9 p.m. ET
- Where: Hamilton Gymnasium — Denver, Colorado
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds
The Pioneers are a 3-point favorite against the Kangaroos, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 3-point spread, and stayed right there.
Over/Under: -111
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Series History
UMKC have won three out of their last four games against Denver.
- Jan 27, 2022 – UMKC 72 vs. Denver 61
- Jan 17, 2022 – Denver 63 vs. UMKC 55
- Feb 20, 2021 – UMKC 80 vs. Denver 69
- Feb 19, 2021 – UMKC 68 vs. Denver 57
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