The Kansas State Wildcats (21-10, 10-8 Big 12) and the TCU Horned Frogs (21-10, 9-9 Big 12) face off in the Big 12 Conference Tourney at Sprint Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 145.5 points with TCU opening as a 2.5-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview
In the Horned Frogs’ last contest, they fell to the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 79-75. TCU’s Vladimir Brodziansky contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Texas Tech did a terrific job of making free throws (23-29; 79.3 percent). TCU, on the other hand, held the Red Raiders to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.1 (below their season average of 33.9).
The Wildcats hope to keep it rolling after topping the Baylor Bears in their last matchup, 77-67. Kansas State was lifted by Dean Wade, who led the team in scoring with 25 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Kansas State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 14.2 (better than their season average of 15.4) and a free throw rate of 0.380 (above their season average of 0.250). For those same stats, Baylor was 19.4 and 0.327, respectively.
Kansas State should have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Wildcats currently rank 86th in offensive efficiency, while TCU ranks 256th in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Horned Frogs are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 18th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.1 percent). The Wildcats, meanwhile, rank 330th at securing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 67.0 percent.
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. TCU games have gone over 66.7 percent of the time, while 60.7 percent of games including Kansas State have finished under. Both teams have solid straight up (SU) records (21-10 for TCU; 21-10 for Kansas State), but the Horned Frogs have the advantage against the spread (ATS). TCU is 16-12-2 ATS, while the Wildcats are 13-15.
Wade has been outstanding over the last five games for Kansas State, averaging 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
These two teams have already met twice this season, each winning once. In the most recent matchup, the Wildcats lost 66-59, unable to cover as 6.5-point underdogs. Wade led both teams with 24 points and also had five rebounds. The two teams combined to score 125 points, which was 21.5 points below the projected point total of 146.5 points. The Horned Frogs played a nearly flawless game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.288 and an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3. For those same stats, the Wildcats recorded marks of 0.094 and 20.7, respectively.
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Kansas State Wildcats Odds Prediction
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – TCU, ATS Winner – TCU, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Wildcats average 7.8 steals per game, which ranks 23rd in the nation. The Horned Frogs rank 126th in steals allowed per game (6.2).
- TCU ranks 96th in rebounds per game (36.5) while Kansas State ranks 283rd (30.5).
- The Wildcats rank 21st in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while the Horned Frogs rank 186th (4.3).
- Kansas State ranks 95th in assists allowed per game (12.5) while TCU ranks 260th (15.8).
Bettings Trends:
- Kansas State is 3-2 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, TCU is 4-0-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.2, down from 5.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Horned Frogs have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.6 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
