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Kansas State Wildcats – TCU Horned Frogs Preview – 02.16.2016

The TCU Horned Frogs (11-14) face off against the Kansas State Wildcats (14-11) at Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 16 and will air on ESW and ES3.

The Horned Frogs are hoping to rebound after their 73-42 loss to West Virginia on Saturday. Chauncey Collins finished with 20 points to lead the game. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 58-55 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday. D.J. Johnson posted 11 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.

It could be a sloppy game for the Kansas State offense, which ranks 306th in the nation in ball security (TO% of 20.6%). It’ll be facing the ball-hawking TCU defense, which forces the 35th-most turnovers in the nation (21.7%).

The Horned Frogs enter the game with records of 11-14 Straight Up (SU) and 8-12 Against The Spread (ATS).

On the other side, the Wildcats have 14-11 SU and 13-8-1 ATS records. Kansas State has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record. Offensively, the Wildcats have really sputtered in the last 10 games. Their season average has fallen to 71.6 points per game after averaging only 60.8 during that stretch. The Wildcats are a force on the offensive glass, grabbing an average of 13.3 offensive rebounds per game. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Wildcats on the defensive end. They allowed 73.4 points per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 67.6. Teams seem to consistently miss three-point shots against the Wildcats, who are the ninth-best team in the country in terms of three-point field goal percentage allowed at .296. When it comes to stealing the ball, the Wildcats are one of the best in the nation with an average of 7.6 steals per game.

This is the first meeting of the season for these conference rivals. The last time they played, TCU came out on top, but the win was not enough to overtake Kansas State in their recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 2-5 SU over the last few meetings. With a 4-3 record, the Horned Frogs have the advantage ATS. Kansas State held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice in the last five game, while TCU wasn’t able to do so in that span.

Predictions: SU Winner – KanSt, ATS Winner – KanSt

Notes

TCU averages 66.9 points per game, placing the team just 225th in the nation. Kansas State ranks 67th in points allowed, giving up 67.6 points per game.

In its last game, Kansas State lost by a margin of three points. TCU is 1-0 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. Kansas State has a 2-2 record in close games.

The TCU Horned Frogs average 70.1 possessions per game and .954 points per possession, while the Kansas State Wildcats earn fewer possessions (69.4) but more points per possession (1.031).

The Kansas State Wildcats average an effective field goal percentage of 47.4% this season. The TCU Horned Frogs have a losing record of 4-11 when opponents have an eFG% of 47.4% or greater.

On average, the TCU Horned Frogs attempt 16.0 three point field goals per game and the Kansas State Wildcats attempt 18.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, TCU has a losing record of 1-3, while Kansas State is 4-3.

TCU makes an average of 6.2 steals per game. When Kansas State gives up 6 or more steals, the team has an even 9-9 record.

Written by GMS Previews

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