Kansas opens up its Big 12 title defense at Austin, which marks the first time in the Bill Self era Kansas has opened up conference play against Texas. It comes at perhaps a fortuitous time, as the Austin crowd, notoriously only full against one opponent, will have to try to fill the building with its students on winter break.
As for the team, we start with the defense. Texas currently is 2nd in KenPom defensively, and has allowed only Duke and Michigan to score over a point per possession against them. Texas allows opponents to shoot just 28 percent from three against them, but given the volatility of 3 point defense and the fact the Horns allow roughly an average number of 3-point attempts, one might say there is a bit of, ah, fools gold at play.