The Kansas Jayhawks (18-4, 6-3 Big 12) and the Kansas State Wildcats (14-8, 4-5) are facing up in an important Big 12 matchup. While the conference is making a great case as the best in the nation, the Wildcats need to start seizing momentum fast!
Kansas is coming off a dominant win against a top-tier team in Houston. By contrast, Kansas State is dead even at 5-5 in their last ten games. Although a lot of teams are projected to make the NCAA tournament from the Big 12, Kansas State is looking on the outside at the moment. They will likely need to go near-perfect down the stretch while making a deep post-season conference run. However, narratives can change in a hurry if they upset the number four team in the nation!
Kansas Jayhawks vs Kansas State Wildcats Betting Odds and Details
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Kansas Jayhawks | -3.5 -112 |
O145 -105 |
-180 |
| Kansas State Wildcats | +3.5 -108 |
U145 -115 |
+150 |
| **Odds Courtesy Of DraftKings Sportsbook** | |||
- Fixture: Kansas Jayhawks @ Kansas State Wildcats
- Date And Time: February 5, 2024 @ 9:00 p.m. EST
- Location: Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas
Key Stats
Kansas Jayhawks (Averages)
Points: 79.1
Points Allowed: 67.5
Field Goal Efficiency: 29.6/57.5 for 51.5%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 6.4/17.5 for 36.5%
Free Throw Efficiency: 13.5/18.2 for 73.8%
Rebounds: 8.3 Offensive, 23.8 Defensive, 37.1 Combined
Assists: 20.7
Steals: 7.2
Blocks: 4.1
Turnovers: 12.0
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 24.2/61.4 for 39.4%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 7.9/24.5 for 32.0%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 11.3/16.1 for 70.1%
Rebounds Against: 10.1 Offensive, 21.8 Defensive, 32.0 Combined
While road games usually worry teams, the Kansas Jayhawks may now be an exception! Sure three of their four losses of the season were on the road, but their last game was THAT good! It will take a while to unsee how they dismantled the Houston Cougars. Even if they come back down to earth after that performance, they are still clearly one of the best teams in the nation. Defensively they are good, but even if they give up cheap points, they can easily make up for it on the other end.
Hunter Dickinson against the best defense in college basketball:
◾️ 20 PTS
◾️ 9-15 FG
◾️ 8 REB
◾️ 4 AST pic.twitter.com/bC8FooQJTu— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) February 3, 2024
They are led by Hunter Dickinson in the frontcourt. Despite what Zach Edey (Purdue) fans might say, Dickinson is one of the best big men in the nation. Also, the Kansas Jayhawks appear to be getting healthy at the right time. Despite an injury scary a couple of games back, Kevin McCullar Jr. appears to be ready to play big minutes at his usual high level.
Kansas State Wildcats
Points: 72.0
Points Allowed: 68.7
Field Goal Efficiency: 24.9/57.4 for 43.3%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 7.5/24.1 for 31.1%
Free Throw Efficiency: 14.8/20.4 for 72.6%
Rebounds: 12.0 Offensive, 25.3 Defensive, 37.3 Combined
Assists: 14.4
Steals: 6.7
Blocks: 4.5
Turnovers: 14.9
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 24.1/60.1 for 40.1%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 7.3/23.2 for 31.5%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 13.2/18.7 for 70.4%
Rebounds Against: 11.9 Offensive, 22.6 Defensive, 34.5 Combined
Unfortunately for Kansas State, they are facing the Kansas Jayhawks at the exact wrong time. They are currently on a four-game skid and realistically need the visitors to get a heavy case of homesickness for this game to be close. Their defense is not the biggest concern, though they are likely to give up a lot of points tonight. Instead, the issue will be keeping up offensively. It’s hard to see how this team will be able to do so, especially if the Jayhawks keep it rolling like they did against Houston.
Find the momentum @TimarPerry #KStateMBB 44, Oklahoma State 50 | 11:34 2H pic.twitter.com/Ml8da2XvdE
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) February 3, 2024
Additionally, David N’Guessan is questionable coming in. While not a huge scoring option, he pitches in around 10 a night. However, his 6’9 frame will be missed defensively when trying to slow down the Kansas frontcourt. Regardless, tonight needs to be an out-of-body experience for Cam Carter. Although, he normally averages around the high teens in production. However, tonight he needs to push 30 points if the Wildcats are going to have any shot of upsetting the incoming squad.
Game Prediction
Ultimately, it’s hard for me to see how Kansas State can keep it close. Despite what the market says, I’d be comfortable giving up the original 5.5 points on the road. However, it’s hard to forecast anything in terms of the over/under. It will come down to Kansas State holding up its end, but that remains unlikely until proven otherwise. Therefore I’m sticking with the pick against the spread and staying away from the point total.
Final Pick
Kansas Jayhawks -3.5
About the Author
Gabriel is a lifelong sports fan. Pick a sport, and he’ll enjoy talking about it with you! From football to soccer, combat sports, and volleyball! For more great content, check us out on X @TotalApexSports. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we do several shows daily. You can follow Gabriel on Twitter @BigTenGabriel to enjoy all of his great content. Make sure you follow us on NewsBreak as well.
