An 18-game home winning streak is on the line for the 12th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (20-7, 9-5 Big 12) when they clash against the 23rd-ranked Kansas State Wildcats (21-6, 11-3 Big 12) at Allen Fieldhouse. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, February 25, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks ATS Odds
In their last contest, the Jayhawks got blown out by the 14th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders, 91-62, while the Wildcats easily got past the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 85-46.
Kansas State played a flawless game. They had an absurd effective field goal percentage of 0.712 (above their season average of 0.493) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.7 (below their season average of 29.2). For those same stats, Oklahoma State put up marks of 0.353 and 16.2, respectively. Kansas, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (9-12; 75.0 percent). Kansas’ Dedric Lawson had a solid performance, putting up 14 points and five rebounds. Kansas State, meanwhile, received a boost from Barry Brown Jr., who had 10 points and seven rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Brown Jr. led the Wildcats to a 74-67 victory. He was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points. The Wildcats’ 14.9 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Jayhawks, who had a rate of 28.0.
The offense of Kansas will battle against the elite defense of Kansas State. The Jayhawks currently rank 121st in offensive efficiency, while the Wildcats are ninth in defensive efficiency. The Wildcats should have the edge on that side of the ball. Additionally, the Wildcats rank 264th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.209), while the Jayhawks rank 46th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.192).
Kansas State vs. Kansas Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Kansas State, ATS Winner – Kansas State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Kansas State ranks 25th in rebounds allowed per game (31.4) while Kansas ranks 196th (35.9).
- The Wildcats average 7.4 steals per game, which ranks 53rd in the NCAA. The Jayhawks rank 121st in steals allowed per game (6.4).
- Kansas State ranks 41st in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Kansas ranks 108th (3.4).
- The Wildcats rank 45th in assists allowed per game (11.4) while the Jayhawks rank 156th (13.6).
- Kansas State ranks 148th in three pointers allowed per game (22.4) while Kansas ranks 249th (25.7).
Bettings Trends:
- The Jayhawks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 5.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 71.0 points per game (4.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 60.4 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
