The No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks (25-7, 14-5 Big 12) take on the Kansas State Wildcats (22-10, 11-8 Big 12) in the Big 12 Conference Tourney at Sprint Center. The game will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
Kansas opened as a 5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 141.5 points.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks ATS Prediction
The Wildcats will be looking for similar success after just getting past the TCU Horned Frogs in their last contest, 66-64. Kansas State’s 0.196 free throw rate was their largest advantage over TCU, who had a mark of 0.130. The Wildcats’ mark matched their season average, while the Horned Frogs’ was below their season average of 0.245. With 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting, Makol Mawien was Kansas State’s high scorer.
In the Jayhawks’ last matchup, they were victorious over the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 82-68. Kansas’ effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks had a rate of 0.632 (above their season average of 0.577), while the Cowboys posted a mark of 0.447 (below their season average of 0.506). Malik Newman was the top scorer from either team with 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball protection could play an integral role in this meeting. Kansas commits the 55th-fewest miscues in the NCAA (turnover percentage of 16.7 percent), while the pesky defense of Kansas State forces the 32nd-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 21.8 percent).
Kansas State heads into the game with records of 22-10 straight up (SU) and 13-15 against the spread (ATS). Of the Wildcats’ 28 games that accepted bets, 17 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Kansas owns records of 25-7 SU and 15-14-1 ATS. Much like Kansas State, a little over half of Jayhawks games have finished under the total.
The Jayhawks have emerged victorious in both games against the Wildcats this year, including a 14-point victory in their last matchup. Kansas covered as a 1.5-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 126 points, which was 21.5 points below the projected point total of 147.5 points. The Jayhawks knocked down 19 of their 26 free throws (73.1 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.554 vs. 0.369). Devonte’ Graham put up a double-double in the victory with 16 points and 11 assists.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Kansas ranks 145th in rebounds per game (35.4) while Kansas State ranks 277th (30.6).
The Wildcats rank 126th in three pointers allowed per game (21.2) while the Jayhawks rank 246th (24.0).
Kansas State ranks 19th in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while Kansas ranks 129th (3.5).
The Jayhawks rank 13th in assists per game (17.0) while the Wildcats rank 103rd (14.3).
Kansas State ranks 19th in steals per game (7.8) while Kansas ranks 94th (6.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Kansas State is 3-2 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
Kansas is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 5.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jayhawks have scored an average of 80.8 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.2 points per game (2.1 above their season average).
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