It figures to be a high-scoring affair as the No. 21-ranked Iowa State Cyclones (21-9) head to Kansas to play the No. 1-ranked Jayhawks (26-4). The game starts at 4:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5 and will air on ESP and ES3.
The Jayhawks had no trouble getting past Texas 86-56 the last time they played. Perry Ellis was the game’s high scorer with 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting. The Cyclones, meanwhile, are coming off a 58-50 win over Oklahoma State in their last outing. Abdel Nader led the game in scoring with 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
Frank Mason III has been playing at a high level as of late for the Jayhawks, averaging 15.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers over the last five games. The Cyclones also have their own player combo that has been on a tear in that same time frame. Georges Niang has averaged 19.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.0 three-pointer, while Nader has put up 19.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 3.6 three-pointers.
It might turn into a shootout as a pair of the nation’s top offenses match up. Kansas ranks 11th in the country with 116.8 points per 100 possessions, while Iowa State is 26th in that metric (114.8). Also, the Cyclones’s 26th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 114.8) will face off against the 28th-ranked defense of the Jayhawks (defensive efficiency of 96.5).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Cyclones winning the first matchup 85-72. Monte Morris was a top performer in the victory with 21 points, four rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and two three-pointers.
The Jayhawks come into this game 26-4 Straight Up (SU) and 19-9 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 3-7 ATS over their last 10 games. The Jayhawks have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire nation, averaging 81.7 points per game. The Jayhawks are a dangerously accurate shooting team from three-point range with a .430 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. Kansas is one of the best passing teams in the nation with an average of 15.9 assists per game. The Jayhawks will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent defensive struggles. The Jayhawks have given up an average of 76.3 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 67.5 PPG.
Across the court, the Cyclones have 21-9 SU and 13-13-1 ATS records. Iowa State performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 9-1 record. The Cyclones rarely make costly errors handling the ball. They have the 22nd-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the country at 1.47. The last 10 games have really brought out the best of the Cyclones on the defensive end. They’ve allowed 64.0 points per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 74.5.
Iowa State won the last meeting this season between these two teams, but Kansas still leads the head-to-head record, 6-4 SU, over their most recent matchups. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Kansas held the edge in all three of these categories once in the last five meetings. Iowa State never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas
Notes
Kansas is one of the top-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 81.7 points per game (ranked 14th). Iowa State, on the other hand, allows 74.5 points per game (ranked 196th).
Kansas is one of the top-scoring teams at home, averaging 85.2 points per game (ranked 14th). Iowa State, on the other hand, allows 79.4 points per away game (ranked 219th).
Kansas won its last game by a 30-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Iowa State is 7-0. Kansas is 12-1 in blowouts this season.
The Iowa State Cyclones rank 26th for their offensive rating of 114.8. The Kansas Jayhawks have a defensive rating of 96.5 (ranked 27th).
The Iowa State Cyclones have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking second in the nation with a FG% of 50.3%. The Kansas Jayhawks have split their games this season (1-1) when opponents have a similar or higher FG%.
The Kansas Jayhawks average 19.0 three point attempts per game, and the Iowa State Cyclones attempt 21.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Kansas is 13-2 and Iowa State is 15-5.
The 23rd-ranked team in the category, Iowa State has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.47 this season. Kansas ranks 57th with an A/TO of 1.27.
Kansas, the 90th-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 37.9 rebounds per game. Iowa State does worse, ranked 180th with 36.1.
Iowa State ranks 293rd in offensive rebounds, while Kansas ranks at 54th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Iowa State forces a turnover rate of 17.7%. When Kansas turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a tremendous 12-2 record.
