The No. 9 Kansas State Wildcats (22-11), 1.5-point underdogs, go head-to-head against the No. 8 Creighton Bluejays (21-11) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 144.5 points and it gets underway at 6:50 p.m. ET on Friday, March 16, 2018.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Creighton Bluejays ATS Odds
Both teams fell in their last matchup. The Bluejays fell to the Providence Friars, 72-68, while the Wildcats were defeated by the ninth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks, 83-67.
Kansas State had a better turnover percentage (16.5 vs. 16.2) while Creighton held Providence to an effective field goal percentage of 0.408 (below their season average of 0.503). Creighton’s Marcus Foster had a good game, putting up 19 points and five rebounds. Makol Mawien, meanwhile was a key piece for Kansas State with 29 points.
Conflicting styles will be on display in this showdown. Creighton likes to play quickly (34th in possessions per game), while Kansas State is slower-paced (316th in possessions per game). Furthermore, second chance points could be few and far between for the Wildcats. They rank 272nd in the NCAA in offensive rebounding percentage at 26.2 percent, while the Bluejays are 32nd-best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 75.5 percent).
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Creighton Bluejays Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Kansas State, ATS Winner – Kansas State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Creighton ranks 15th in three pointers attempted per game (27.8) while Kansas State ranks 209th (20.2).
- The Bluejays rank sixth in assists per game (18.0) while the Wildcats rank 109th (14.3).
- Kansas State ranks 22nd in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while Creighton ranks 70th (2.9).
- The Bluejays rank 114th in rebounds per game (36.3) while the Wildcats rank 302nd (30.6).
- Kansas State ranks 21st in steals per game (7.8) while Creighton ranks 172nd (5.7).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bluejays have scored an equal number of points as their opponents. For the season, Creighton has defeated opponents by an average of 10.1 points.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 69.2 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.2 points per game (5.3 above their season average).
