The Kansas State Wildcats (15-11) welcome the No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks (22-4), the Big 12’s best team, to Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The game gets underway at 6:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 20 and will air on ES2 and ES3.
The Wildcats were victorious over TCU 63-49 on Tuesday. Justin Edwards was the game’s high scorer with 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting. The Jayhawks, meanwhile, are coming off a 94-67 win over Oklahoma State on Monday. Frank Mason III played well for Kansas, accumulating 14 points, six assists, and five rebounds.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Jayhawks won the first game 77-59. Perry Ellis was a top performer in the victory with 19 points, five rebounds, two steals, and three three-pointers.
The Wildcats enter the game with records of 15-11 Straight Up (SU) and 14-8-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their past 10 games, the Kansas State offense has been playing lights out, averaging 77.2 points per game, well over their season average of 71.2. Kansas State is known to control the offensive glass, where it racks up an impressive 13.4 offensive rebounds per game. Turning to the defensive side, the Wildcats are 40th in the country in steals with 7.7 per game.
Across the court, the Jayhawks head into the game with records of 16-8 ATS and 22-4 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 67.7 PPG, below their 83.1 PPG season average. Defenses have a tough time accounting for every player when up against the Jayhawks, who are known for distributing the ball with 16.0 assists per game. Kansas’s defense is one of the top in the nation, with opponents shooting only .403 from the field.
Kansas won the last meeting this season between these two teams, moving its SU record against Kansas State to 8-2 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. Additionally, with a 7-3 record, Kansas has the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Kansas held the edge in all three of these categories twice in the last five meetings. Kansas State never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas
Notes
“Kansas State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas State’s last 7 games “.
“Kansas State is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas State’s last 7 games at home”.
“Kansas State is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Kansas”.
“Kansas State is 3-15 SU in its last 18 games when playing Kansas”.
“Kansas State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Kansas”.
“Kansas State is 5-13 ATS in its last 18 games when playing at home against Kansas”.
“Kansas State is 4-16 SU in its last 20 games when playing at home against Kansas”.
“The total has gone OVER in 6 of Kansas State’s last 8 games when playing at home against Kansas”.
“The total has gone OVER in 6 of Kansas’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Kansas State”.
Kansas State averages 71.2 points per game, placing the team just 171st in the nation. Kansas ranks 87th in points allowed, giving up 68.8 points per game.
Kansas State scores just 75.6 points per home game (ranked 147th). Kansas ranks 72nd in points allowed on the road, giving up 71.3 points.
In its last game, Kansas won by a margin of 27 points. Kansas State is 5-1 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Kansas has an 11-1 record in blowouts.
The Kansas Jayhawks rank 10th for their offensive rating of 117.1. The Kansas State Wildcats have a defensive rating of 97.4 (ranked 49th).
The Kansas Jayhawks have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking 13th in the nation with a FG% of 48.9%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Kansas State Wildcats are winless with a 0-6 record.
The Kansas State Wildcats average 17.0 three point attempts per game and are 4-3 when attempting at least 20 in a game. The Kansas Jayhawks average 19.0 attempts and have an exceptional record (12-2) when attempting 20 or more.
Kansas ranks 52nd in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.30. Kansas State is ranked lower at 233rd with an A/TO of .97.
Kansas, the 69th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 38.6 rebounds per game. Kansas State does worse, ranked 126th with 37.2.
The Kansas State Wildcats make an average of 7.7 steals per game. When the Kansas Jayhawks allow 7 or more steals, they are a fantastic 8-2.
