Cincinnati’s stellar defense will test Kansas. The Jayhawks must be aggressive from the opening tip. KU wants to score inside, and that may not be easy. In addition, KU must play its usual stellar defense and not be afraid to get physical. It’s not necessarily bad if the Jayhawks foul UC, as the Bearcats struggle at the line.

The Kansas Jayhawks are heating up at just the right time. After back-to-back wins, including a dominant 74-55 performance against Arizona State, the Jayhawks are riding high. But the road to staying hot leads them straight into Cincinnati to face a Bearcats team that’s desperate to bounce back after three straight losses.

Kansas State basketball is back home and will try to snap a two-game losing streak against No. 11-raked Houston, which has won seven straight.