Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks Predictions, Picks, Odds and NCAA Basketball Betting Preview – January 3, 2017

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks Preview

Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence

When: Tuesday, January 3, 9:00 PM ET

Line: Kansas State Wildcats (TBA) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (TBA) – view all NCAAB lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

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Betting on the Kansas State Wildcats (TBA)

Kansas State opened up its Big 12 schedule with a bang, taking down Texas at home, 65-62. With that victory, Kansas State stretched its win streak to seven games. The Wildcats will look to make it eight straight in Lawrence later tonight. They are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four road games.

The Wildcats usually lean on their tough defense to carry them through most games. They are allowing just 58.8 PPG—seventh best in the nation—and are letting opponents shoot only 37.7 percent from the field. Texas shot 46.3%, however, which suggests that the Wildcats need to do much better against a more potent opponent in Kansas.

Moreover, Kansas State’s offense will have to get increased contribution from the non-starters. The Wildcats got zero points from their bench that combined for a mere three shot attempts in 29 total minutes. Dean Wade led the Wildcats with 18 points, while the team’s season scoring leader Barry Brown (12.1 PPG) churned out just seven points on a salty 2-for-11 shooting from the field. Brown has to resurface later tonight for K-State to keep in step with the Jayhawks.

Betting on the Kansas Jayhawks (TBA)

The Jayhawks just keep on rolling. After taking down TCU last week, 86-80, the Jayhawks now have a 12-game win streak. That lucky 13th-straight victory could come for Kansas tonight against the visiting Wildcats, who have a long history of misfortunes in Lawrence. In fact, Kansas is 19-1 SU and 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games as the home team in this matchup dating to as far back as 2002.

History aside, the mere tools the Jayhawks have on their team give them an advantage over Kansas State. The Jayhawks arguably have the best backcourt in the nation. The trio of Frank Mason III, Josh Jackson, and Devonte’ Graham has simply been devastating. Mason is leading the team with 19.8 PPG, while Jackson and Graham put up 14.7 PPG and 12.5 PPG, respectively. Overall, the Jayhawks are 13th in the nation with 86.5 PPG while shooting an excellent 51.0% from the floor.

The Jayhawks like to stretch the floor with their outside shooting. They are knocking down 8.6 threes per game on an efficient 40.9% clip—ninth best in Division I ball.

Writer’s Prediction

Kansas wins, 78-62.

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