The UMKC Kangaroos will try to cover the spread at Municipal Auditorium on Saturday when they get a visit from the Nebraska Omaha Mavericks in NCAA basketball action.

This season, the Kangaroos are 6-15 overall and 10-8 ATS ATS, while the Mavericks are 6-16 and 8-8 ATS against the number. As for the totals, UMKC boasts a 9-6 on the OU, and Nebraska Omaha is 8-4.



View Nebraska Omaha vs UMKC Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
UMKC opened as 9-point favorites in this college basketball tilt over at Sportsbook but the number may be on the move. Watch for the Sportsbook total as well at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Kangaroos, most recently No. 341 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Mavericks, who rate No. 335 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 63-59 victory for the Kangaroos.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits UMKC's No. 272-ranked offense, averaging 63 PPG, against a Mavericks defense that ranks No. 349 at 83.4 PPG. The Kangaroos field goal percentage has averaged 43.2% so far, less than the Mavericks marksmen have achieved on the year, 46.3% per game.

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, Nebraska Omaha owns the country's No. 348-rated mark, allowing 84.5 points per game on the highway. UMKC, on the other hand, rates No. 267 in scoring at home.

Nebraska Omaha won its last outing, a 95-90 result against South Dakota on January 24. They covered in that game as a 11.5-point underdog. Justin Simmons went off for 26 points and added 3 rebounds, leading Nebraska Omaha over South Dakota, 95-90, on Thursday at DakotaDome.

UMKC lost its last outing, a 63-61 result against Houston Baptist on January 22. Nelson Kirksey scored 14 points in a futile effort to lead the Kangaroos to a win (they lost 63-61 to Houston Baptist at Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday).

Next up:
Nebraska Omaha home to IUPU Fort Wayne, Thursday, January 31
UMKC at North Dakota State, Thursday, January 31