In-state and conference rivals go at it Tuesday night when the #13 Kansas State Wildcats (15-2, 4-1 Big 12) welcome the #2 Kansas Jayhawks (16-1, 5-0 Big 12) to The Little Apple. The battle features the top two teams in the Big 12 Conference standings. These two teams will meet again later this month in Lawrence.
Tuesday’s conference showdown tips off at 7 p.m. EST inside Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. The Jayhawks are a 2.5-point favorite, and the over/under total is 147.5 points.
What to Know – #2 Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks make the short trip to Manhattan riding a ten-game winning streak and undefeated record in conference play. Kansas has only played three true road games this season, but are a perfect 3-0.
Offensively, Kansas scores 75.9 points per game behind 47.1% shooting from the field and 37.6% shooting from beyond the arc. The Jayhawks defense holds opponents to 65.2 points per game, 40.0% shooting from the floor, and 31.0% from the 3-point line.
The defending national champions are led in scoring by forward Jalen Wilson, averaging 19.8 points per game. Wilson is shooting 40.4% from the field and also leads the team securing 8.9 rebounds per contest. Gradey Dick is second on the team scoring 14.6 ppg, while Kevin McCullar Jr. adds 10.8 ppg, and K.J. Adams Jr. chips in 10.7 ppg.
Kansas is 7-10 against the spread this year and 3-0 ATS in road contests. The Jayhawks are 5-2 ATS in their previous seven games against the Wildcats.
What to Know – #11 Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State will try to bounce back at home against its in-state rival after suffering an 82-68 loss at TCU over the weekend. The Wildcats are in a three-way tie with Texas and Iowa State for second place in the conference standings.
The Wildcats average 78.2 points per game, thanks to 46.9% shooting from the floor and 35.1% shooting from three. On defense, Kansas State limits opposing teams to 67.2 ppg, 42.2% shooting from the field, and 30.1% from deep.
Florida transfer Keyontae Johnson paces the KSU offense pouring in 18.4 ppg thanks to 56.4% shooting from the field. Markquis Nowell is right behind Johnson, averaging 17.1 ppg, and Nae’qwan Tomlin rounds out the double-digit scorers for the Wildcats, scoring 10.9 ppg.
Kansas State is 12-5 ATS this season and 5-3 ATS at home. The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS over their last five games.
The Pick is In
All eyes will be on this top-25 matchup Tuesday night when these two teams take the floor. Kansas is the team to beat in the Big 12, and the Jayhawks have looked the part this season. Kansas State is a tough team but the KU roster has the edge here, and the Jayhawks will have what it takes to cover the spread.
The Pick: #2 Kansas Jayhawks -2.5
