It figures to be a low-scoring affair as the Texas Longhorns (8-4) head to Kansas State to take on the Wildcats (10-2). Action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, and can be seen on ESPNU.
Texas Longhorns at Kansas State Wildcats ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious over their last opponent. The Wildcats defeated the Kennesaw State Owls 56-41, while the Longhorns beat the Eastern Illinois Panthers 71-59.
The Longhorns had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.577 vs. 0.411) and had a better turnover percentage (20.8 vs. 22.9). The Wildcats, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (41.2 vs. 24.3) and had a better free throw rate (0.083 vs. 0.058). Kansas State received a boost from Barry Brown Jr., who contributed 15 points and six rebounds. Matt Coleman III, meanwhile played a key role for Texas with 13 points and seven assists.
The Wildcats dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the most recent contest, Kansas State won 58-48. Kansas State’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Texas. The Wildcats had a rate of 0.448 while the Longhorns posted a mark of 0.304. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Dean Wade has been playing at a high level as of late for Kansas State, averaging 0 points over the last five games.
The inefficient offense of Kansas State (299th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 98.6) will go head-to-head against the elite defense of Texas (46th in the country with a defensive efficiency of 93.2). The Longhorns figure to have the edge on that end of the court. Moreover, the Longhorns commit the 41st-fewest errors in the NCAA (turnover percentage of 16.4 percent), while the pesky defense of the Wildcats causes the 51st-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 22.4 percent).
Texas Longhorns vs. Kansas State Wildcats ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Kansas State, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Texas ranks 34th in three pointers attempted per game (27.1) while Kansas State ranks 228th (19.2).
- The Wildcats rank 37th in rebounds allowed per game (31.5) while the Longhorns rank 168th (36.6).
- Texas is sixth in the country with 9.5 assists allowed per game while Kansas State is 26th with 10.5 assists allowed per game.
- The Longhorns rank 12th in steals allowed per game (4.7) while the Wildcats rank 148th (7.2).
- Texas ranks 32nd in blocks per game (4.8) while Kansas State ranks 168th (2.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.2, up from 9.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Longhorns have scored an average of 79.6 points per game (5.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.6 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
