No. 5 UConn vs No. 21 Kansas: Preview, Matchups, and Prediction
- Joseph Klein
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Date: December 2, 2025
Location: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS
Time: 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2
On Tuesday, December 2nd, the #5 UConn Huskies will travel to Lawrence, Kansas, to take on the #21 Kansas Jayhawks inside Allen Fieldhouse. This is one of three ranked matchups on Tuesday night and arguably the most intriguing battle on the slate. Here are my predictions for the game and how the two teams match up.
How Do These Two Teams Match Up?
Both teams enter this matchup coming off ranked wins. Kansas defeated Tennessee nearly a week ago, while UConn beat Illinois this past Friday. UConn has been the more consistent team overall, but Kansas should not be overlooked.
Kansas is a very strong defensive team, currently ranked 10th in defensive efficiency. UConn counters with the eighth-ranked offense in the nation. The Huskies’ offense has been one of the most efficient units this season, shooting over 50 percent from the field. However, their perimeter shooting has dipped; Solo Ball, previously considered one of the nation’s elite shooters, is hitting just 24.5% from three this season compared to nearly 42% last year.
Kansas’ defense typically allows more open looks from the perimeter and is stronger inside. Because of that, I expect another challenging outing for UConn center Tarris Reed Jr., who was dominant early in the season but struggled against Illinois. For UConn to survive in Lawrence, players like Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, and Silas Demary Jr. must play under control and consistently knock down perimeter shots.
Looking at Kansas, the numbers show a remarkably even matchup. Both teams are top-10 nationally in field-goal percentage, comparable on the glass, and strong defensively. The X-factor, in my opinion, is whether top prospect Darryn Peterson suits up for the Jayhawks. Peterson has not played since November 7th against North Carolina, just the second game of the season.
Kansas certainly saw enough before the injury. In two games, Peterson averaged 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and shot 60 percent from the field, including 50 percent from three, one of the most efficient early-season stat lines from a true freshman. His combination of scoring, size, and defensive impact is game-changing, and UConn would presumably prefer he remains unavailable.
If Peterson can’t go, Kansas still has reliable contributors in Melvin Council Jr., Tre White, and Flory Bidunga, each capable of impacting the game on both ends.
The Bottom Line
The team that controls the pace, without getting sped up or bogged down, will almost certainly come away with the win.
This is an extremely even matchup, but Kansas has shown more consistency overall, while UConn has been more erratic in running its offense.
UConn enters as the favorite, but I’m taking Kansas to escape with a tight victory.
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