12th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks might have the higher national ranking (why?), but the Jayhawks will be in all-out ‘desperation mode’ when they host the visiting 23rd-ranked Kansas State Wildcats in a huge Big 12 battle that will go a long way toward determining the winner of this year’s conference crown.
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If you’re looking to find out whether the Jayhawks are the pick to hold court at home or whether the Wildcats are a more value-packed pick as a road underdog, then let’s get to my expert college basketball pick on this matchup right now.
Kansas State vs Kansas NCAAB Odds, Game Preview & Pick
Sunflower Showdown | 8 pm | #KStateMBB 📺 ESPN 📻 K-State Sports Network 💻 https://t.co/4N3rr56f7H pic.twitter.com/FHy7ANBQBK — K-State Men’s Basketball (@KStateMBB) 25 de febrero de 2019
- When: Monday February 25, 2019, 9:00 PM ET
- Where: Allen Fieldhouse , Lawrence, Kansas
- TV: ESPN
- NCAAB Odds: Kansas -4 / Total: 133
Why Bet on Kansas State at +4?
Why should you consider betting on K-State in this huge matchup? There are a bunch of great reasons. First, the Wildcats are playing well, having won two straight and six of their last seven games overall, including a seriously overpowering 85-46 rout of Oklahoma State on Saturday to easily cover the chalk as a 9.5-point home favorite. Xavier Sneed and Austin Trice both scored a team-high 12 points to lead five players in double-digit scoring.
Then, there’s the fact that K-State has one of the best defenses in the nation in limiting the opposition to just 59.3 points per game to rank fourth in points allowed. Another good reasons to back the Wildcats is the fact that K-State beat Kansas 74-67, on Feb. 5 in Manhattan and now they want to get the regular season sweep against their hated, in-state rivals.
“It’s a bucket-list game, but we don’t really dwell on it or talk about it,” Wildcat forward Dean Wade said. “We honestly just look to the next game and that just happens to be the next game. It’s a huge game for us and it’s on the road.”
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 66.52
- Field Goals: 4372%
- Three Points: 33.99%
- Free Throws: 66.10%
- Rebounds: 33.67
- Average Score Against: 59.33
- Field Goals: 41.15%
- Three Points: 31.19%
- Free Throws: 65.80%
- Rebounds: 31.41
Why Bet on Kansas at -4?
Why should you consider betting on Kansas as a 4-point home favorite? Well, there’s the fact that the Jayhawks are completely and utterly desperate coming into this contest. Kansas has won or shared the Big 12 regular season title in each of the last 14 seasons, but the longest such streak in Division I history is in jeopardy with the Jayhawks trailing k-State by two games in the conference standings with four to go.
Then, there’s the fact that Kansas wants to get the taste out of their mouths after suffering the worst loss of the Bill Self era in their embarrassing 91-62 smackdown loss No. 14 Texas Tech on Saturday.
“Coach (Self) talked about getting ready for Kansas State,” forward Dedric Lawson said. “He said, ‘Can’t get this one back. Worry about the next one.’ I think we’ll bounce back pretty well. Sometimes a loss can be a blessing in disguise.”
Another good reason to back Kansas is the fact that the Jayhawks have the more prolific offense and they’re playing at home where they’ve gone a perfect 14-0 so far this season and have not lost to the Wildcats since 2006.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 76.37
- Field Goals: 47.19%
- Three Points: 36.31%
- Free Throws: 68.88%
- Rebounds: 37.15
- Average Score Against: 70.63
- Field Goals: 40.78%
- Three Points: 33.91%
- Free Throws: 68.68%
- Rebounds: 35.85
Kansas State vs Kansas NCAAB Betting Trends
- Kansas State is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 games
- Kansas State is 6-1 SU in the last 7 games
- The total went OVER in 6 of Kansas State’s last 7 games
- Kansas is 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games
- Kansas is 18-7 SU in the last 25 games
- The total went OVER in 5 of Kansas’s last 6 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction
I know Kansas is playing at home and that they’re quite desperate, but after seeing each of these teams’ last contests this weekend, there’s no way I can advise anyone to back Kansas – even at home. K-State has gone 4-0 ATS in their last four road games, 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall and a bankroll-boosting 27-11 ATS in their last 38 games versus their Big 12 rivals.
Conversely, Kansas has gone 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games against a team with a winning percentage over .600 and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games against a team with a winning SU record. I know the favorite in this Big 12 rivalry has gone 18-6-2 ATS in the last 26 meetings and that the home team is 18-7-2 ATS in the last 27 meetings, but I genuinely believe K-State is the better team this year and that they’ll get the regular season sweep because of it.
NCAAB Betting Pick: K-State 73 Kansas 70
