Through the Phog
Fansided

Kansas State vs. Kansas Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Tuesday, March 5 (Target total)

By Reed Wallach

Feb 17, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) shoots between
Feb 17, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) shoots between / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

Kansas and Kansas State meet for the second time this season after the Jayhawks lost the first rivalry game in overtime on the road.

Now, the Jayhawks are back at Allen Fieldhouse and reeling after two straight losses. KU did get Kevin McCullar back on the floor after missing two straight games, can he stay healthy and help the Jayhawks build some momentum ahead of the Big 12 Tournament?

Here's our betting preview and best bets for Tuesday's Big 12 showdown:

New FanDuel users, get ready for March Madness by signing up below! All you have to do is win your first bet of any kind of just $5 to get $150 in bonus bets!

Kansas State vs. Kansas Odds, Spread and Total

Kansas vs. Kansas State Betting Trends

  • Kansas is 12-16-1 against the spread (ATS) this season
  • Kansas State is 8-4 ATS as an underdog
  • Kansas has gone UNDER in seven of 17 home games this season

Kansas State vs. Kansas How to Watch

  • Date: Tuesday, March 5th
  • Game Time: 9:00 PM EST
  • Venue: Allen Fieldhouse
  • How to Watch (TV): ESPN
  • Kansas State Record: 17-12
  • Kansas Record: 21-8

Kansas State vs. Kansas Key Players to Watch

Kansas State

Tylor Perry: Perry scored 26 points in the gritty overtime win back in early February a microcosm of what has been the North Texas import's season. Perry is playing 91% of minutes in Big 12 play, shooting 36% from beyond the arc while also setting the table for the rest of the roster. Can he take this Wildcats team on the road and keep its faint postseason hopes alive?

Kansas

Kevin McCullar Jr.: McCullar's injury concerns are well documented, and while we never seem to know if he is playing anymore, he was on the floor for the Jayhawks' loss at Baylor, playing 31 minutes and scoring 20 points. However, it's McCullar's defense that is notable. KU allows nearly nine more points per 100 possessions when McCullar is off the floor.

Kansas State vs. Kansas Prediction and Pick

This total is down one point from the first meeting in Manhattan, but I believe we are getting a serious discount following the first meeting. Yes, the final snuck over the total of 144.5, a 75-70 win for K-State, but that needed overtime to get there. The game was a half-court battle that was a race to the mid-60s in regulation.

I believe we see a similar style from both teams on Tuesday night as the Jayhawks continue to force the issue on the inside, the team is 334th in three-point rate this season, and that number has dropped slightly in Big 12 play.

Meanwhile, Kansas State's offense hasn't been a factor for much of this season, struggling to protect the ball and resorting to late shot clock heaves from the perimeter, which is going to be amplified against the stout interior defense of Kansas that forces teams to play from the outside. The Wildcats are shooting below 32% from three-point range this season, bottom 100 in the country.

I think this game is more of a slog relative to this total and happy to grab the under.

PICK: UNDER 143.5

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Home/Betting