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Kansas vs. Kansas State Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Monday, Feb. 5

College basketball betting preview, prediction and best bets for Big Monday showdown between Kansas and Kansas State.

By Reed Wallach

Oklahoma State Cowboys guard John-Michael Wright (51) defends Kansas Jayhawks guard Johnny Furphy
Oklahoma State Cowboys guard John-Michael Wright (51) defends Kansas Jayhawks guard Johnny Furphy / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY
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Statement made.

Kansas blitzed Houston from the opening tip at home over the weekend to stay within striking distance of the top of the Big 12. In only the third time as underdogs at home under head coach Bill Self, KU made it three wins in a row over elite competition. However, now the team turns its attention to slumping Kansas State on the road.

The Jayhawks offense is getting big contributions from the likes Johnny Furphy, which can unlock a National Championship ceiling for Self's bunch. Let's see if KU can keep it rolling on the road with our full betting preview, with odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

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Kansas vs. Kansas State Odds, Spread and Total

Kansas State vs. Kansas Betting Trends

  • Kansas is 10-11-1 against the spread (ATS) this season
  • Kansas State is 10-12 ATS this season
  • Kansas State is 6-9 ATs at home this season
  • Kansas has gone OVER in seven of its last 10 games

Kansas vs. Kansas State How to Watch

  • Date: Monday, Feb. 5
  • Game Time: 9:00 PM EST
  • Venue: Bramlage Coliseum
  • How to Watch (TV): ESPN
  • Kansas Record: 18-4
  • Kansas State Record: 14-8

Kansas vs. Kansas State Key Players to Watch

Kansas

Johnny Furphy: Kansas has been desperate for a perimeter threat, and the team may be onto something with the freshman from Australia. He is shooting nearly 49% from 3 in Big 12 play and is fresh off of a 17-point outing against Houston in which he grabbed eight rebounds. Can he keep the positive momentum up on the road against an in-state foe?

Kansas State

Tylor Perry: Perry has done it all since arriving from North Texas, averaging nearly 15 points per game nad dishing out almost five assists. However, Perry, like the rest of the Wildcats, are struggling to shoot efficiently. Perry is shooting 34% from the field over the balance of the season and now faces one of the best defensive guards in the country in Dajuan Harris.

Kansas vs. Kansas State Prediction and Pick

The Kansas State offense is in a dire position after a string of four straight losses. The team has only scored 70 or more twice in the last seven games and both came against Big 12 bottom feeder Oklahoma State. Defenses have been able to turn Kansas State over -- the team is dead last in Big 12 turnover percentage -- and the team can't get easy buckets at the rim so its forced to settle for three's, which the Wildcats are hitting at a sub-33% clip.

K-State runs into Kansas, who doesn't pressure the ball a ton, but has the length to challenge an undersized Wildcats team on offense and force the team into contested jump shots. On the other, end, Kansas State has held up nicely, holding foes to the lowest effective field goal percentage in league play.

I believe that we see the Jayhawks' offense come back to Earth a bit after scorching the nets against the best defense in the country on Saturday. The team shot nearly 69% from the field en route to a 13-point home win. With one day off, there can be some regression on the offensive side of the floor against a stingy defense.

While KU should be able to find answers to navigate a road win against a Wildcats team that has fallen off, I believe it will be a lower scoring game as Jerome Tang's bunch looks to lean on its defense to stay within striking distance.

The under is my preferred bet in this Big 12 showdown.

PICK: UNDER 144.5

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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