The Kansas State Wildcats (15-13) will try to slow down the Big 12’s top scoring team when they take on the No. 17-ranked Iowa State Cyclones (19-9) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The game starts at 6:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 27 and will air on ES2 and ES3.
The Cyclones were beaten by West Virginia 97-87 the last time they played. Georges Niang had a good game for Iowa State, contributing 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Wildcats are coming off a bitter 71-70 loss to Texas in their last outing. Justin Edwards had a good shooting night, leading the game with 20 points.
Over the last five games, Niang and Abdel Nader have played at a high level for the Cyclones. During that stretch, Niang has averaged 21.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers. Not to be outdone, Nader has put up 19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 3.4 three-pointers.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Cyclones won the first game 76-63. Monte Morris was a standout player in the game, producing 19 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one three-pointer.
The Cyclones enter the game with records of 19-9 Straight Up (SU) and 12-12-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 3-7 ATS over their last 10 games. Iowa State has been struggling of late. In the last 10 games, Iowa State has only averaged 67.5 points per game compared to the 83.1 they’ve averaged on the season. The Cyclones are an impressive shooting team with a .504 field-goal percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. Iowa State has the 25th-most assists in Division I, averaging 16.7 per game. Over their past 10 games, the Iowa State defense has been playing lights out, only allowing 68.5 points per game, well under their season average of 75.9.
Across the court, the Wildcats head into the game with records of 14-10-1 ATS and 15-13 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 79.7 PPG, above their 70.9 PPG season average. Kansas State is one of the better offensive rebounding teams in Division I. The Wildcats average 13.3 offensive rebounds per game, making them the 25th-best team in the country for that category. The Kansas State defense has allowed an average of 78.4 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 67.2.
Iowa State beat Kansas State in their most recent meeting this season, moving its SU record against Kansas State to 7-3 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. At 5-5, they are even ATS. Iowa State topped the Wildcats in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once over the last five matchups. Kansas State has never had the edge in all three categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – KanSt, ATS Winner – KanSt
Notes
“Iowa State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of Iowa State’s last 5 games “.
“Iowa State is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home”.
“Iowa State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Kansas State”.
“Iowa State is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Kansas State”.
“The total has gone OVER in 6 of Iowa State’s last 8 games when playing Kansas State”.
“Iowa State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Kansas State”.
“Iowa State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas State”.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of Iowa State’s last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas State”.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas State’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Iowa State”.
Iowa State is one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 83.1 points per game (ranked 12th). Kansas State allows 67.2 points per game (ranked 59th).
In its last game, Kansas State lost by a margin of one point. Iowa State is 2-3 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. Kansas State also has a 2-3 record in close games.
The Iowa State Cyclones average 72.2 possessions and 1.151 points per possession in games this season. The Kansas State Wildcats average fewer possessions with 68.8, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.031.
Iowa State is ranked sixth in the nation with an average effective field goal percentage of 57.1%. Kansas State has not won a game this season when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage (0-3).
Iowa State attempts an average of 22.0 three pointers per game and Kansas State attempts 17.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Iowa State Cyclones have a winning 14-5 record while the Kansas State Wildcats have a 4-3 record.
The Iowa State Cyclones rank 20th with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.47, while the Kansas State Wildcats rank outside the top 100 (212th) with an A/TO of .99.
When it comes to offensive rebounds, Kansas State ranks 25th. Iowa State ranks 76th in defensive rebounds.
Kansas State has forced an average turnover rate of 21.2% this season. In games where its turnover rate is 21.2% or higher, Iowa State is an even 2-2.
