The No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners (14-2, 4-1 Big 12) travel to Kansas State to play the Wildcats (12-5, 2-3 Big 12) in what should be a high-scoring game. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, and will air on ESPNU.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 164 points with Oklahoma opening as a 3-point favorite.
Oklahoma Sooners at Kansas State Wildcats Free Prediction
In the Sooners’ last game, they defeated the No. 16 TCU Horned Frogs, 102-97. The Sooners had a better free throw rate (0.181 vs. 0.115) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.618 (above their season average of 0.579). Oklahoma was lifted by Trae Young, who was the top scorer from either team with 43 points on 15-for-27 shooting.
The Wildcats lost a tough one against the No. 12 Kansas Jayhawks in their last game, 73-72. Kansas’ free throw rate was their biggest strength over Kansas State. The Jayhawks had a rate of 0.306 (above their season average of 0.157), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 0.182 (below their season average of 0.267). Dean Wade had a solid performance for Kansas State, leading the team in scoring with 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
This matchup figures to be a high-scoring affair as two of the nation’s best offenses face off. Kansas State ranks 31st with 115.4 points per 100 possessions and Oklahoma is 16th (118.3). It will also be a showdown of opposite styles as the up-tempo Sooners rank third in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Wildcats rank 332nd.
Oklahoma comes into the game with records of 14-2 straight up (SU) and 7-8 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total low when the Sooners are involved, as 80.0 percent of their games have gone over the projected point total.
Kansas State is 12-5 SU, but they are just 5-9 ATS. Unlike Oklahoma, Wildcats games have typically finished under the total (57.1 percent).
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Sooners won the most recent matchup 81-51. The Sooners had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.484 vs. 0.277) and had a much better turnover percentage (12.8 vs. 20.1).
Oklahoma Sooners at Kansas State Wildcats Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Kansas State, ATS Winner – Kansas State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Oklahoma is 3-4 ATS with 6 overs and 1 under.
Kansas State is 2-4 ATS at home with 3 overs and 3 unders.
Oklahoma ranks 32nd in rebounds per game (39.9) while Kansas State ranks 262nd (31.8).
The Wildcats rank 120th in three pointers allowed per game (21.6) while the Sooners rank 258th (27.1).
Oklahoma ranks 16th in blocks per game (5.7) while Kansas State ranks 148th (2.7).
The Wildcats average 15.2 assists per game, which ranks 80th in the nation. The Sooners rank 176th in assists allowed per game (14.4).
Kansas State ranks 27th in steals per game (8.2) while Oklahoma ranks 80th in steals allowed per game (5.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Oklahoma is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Kansas State is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Sooners’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, down from 12.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (1.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.2 points per game (9.8 above their season average).
