3. February 5: Kansas basketball at Kansas State
When the Jayhawks travel to Bramlage this year, there will be an entirely different Wildcat squad than the team that nearly made it to a Final Four last season. Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson departed for the NBA, but Jerome Tang responded right back by adding ex-Creighton Bluejay-Arthur Kaluma and Tylor Perry in the transfer portal.
Neither of those players will likely perform as well as K-State’s former stars, but the Wildcats should at least be competitive in 2023-24. And as we all know, playing a game in Manhattan is the most hostile environment KU steps into each year.
K-State could still win this game even if they finish below .500 in conference play. No matter how good they are, the Wildcats should keep this game close.