Bodog Beat

Russell Robinson powered through the Georgia Tech defense for 17 points. (AP Images)

Jayhawks fans are used to seeing their team blow leads in March. Kansas nearly made the Madness come in December. Leading by only one point on Tuesday night, the third-ranked Jayhawks needed a heroic effort from Sherron Collins to escape Atlanta with a 71-66 victory over Georgia Tech.

Collins scored the final four points by converting a pair of free throws then delivering a layup after stealing the ball on Georgia Tech’s final possession.

Although Kansas improved to 11-0, it failed to cover the point spread, which was 10 points. The betting total was under 152 points.

The Yellow Jackets had rallied from 13 points down to get to within one before Collins secured the win with his third steal of the game. Russell Robinson led Kansas with 17 points.

In other top 25 college basketball action on Tuesday:

No. 4 Texas 66, Oral Roberts 56: The Longhorns got 24 points from D.J. Augustin as they tuned up for an anticipated top-10 bout with No. 9 Michigan State on Saturday with a tougher-than-expected victory over Oral Roberts in Austin. The heavily favored Horns improved to 11-0.

No. 8 UCLA 77, Western Illinois 52: Freshman sensation Kevin Love was 5-for-5 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, finishing with 16 points to lead the heavily favored Bruins at Pauley Pavilion.

For college basketball odds for Wednesday, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.