The Kansas State Wildcats can drive a dagger into the heart of in-state rival Kansas on Monday. The Jayhawks have won at least a share of 14 straight regular-season Big 12 titles, but that streak is in big trouble. Kansas is sitting at 9-4 in the Big 12, and the program must travel to face 9-4 Texas Tech on Saturday before taking on 10-3 Kansas State on Monday. A loss in either game puts their fate in the hands of another team, while a win would put them back in the driver’s seat.
This Big 12 showdown will take place on Monday, February 25, 2019. Tip-off will be at 9 p.m. ET from Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
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Odds Analysis
Kansas State has already done enough to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats did not get off to a great start and lost a dreadful 47-46 game to Tulsa in early December and dropped their first two conference games too. Since then, the Wildcats have turned it on. They have won 10 of their last 11 in conference play with the lone loss coming at home to Iowa State. Kansas State has already played Texas Tech and Iowa State twice, so a win over Kansas is especially huge as they don’t play a ranked conference opponent the rest of the year.
The Jayhawks have some great wins in non-conference play, and that will help them come tournament time. Kansas beat Michigan State, Marquette, Tennessee, Wofford, and Villanova before kicking off its Big 12 schedule, but things have changed over the last month. Injuries have really affected the team, and Kansas lost four of six at one point. They have since won three straight, but it’s hard to get too excited about wins over Oklahoma State and West Virginia and an overtime victory over TCU.
Kansas’ last loss came at the hands of Kansas State. The Jayhawks turned the ball over 23 times in that game, and it’s almost impossible to win when you give up the ball that much.
Key Injuries
Cartier Diarra might be out for the rest of the year on the side of Kansas State. Diarra underwent surgery on a broken hand last week, and there is no timetable for his return. He was averaging 25 minutes per game, so the team will need to find others to replace his production.
The loss of Udoka Azubuike has really hurt Kansas. Azubuike was shut down for the season after breaking his hand in early January, and that has left the Jayhawks critically shallow up front after Silvio De Sousa was declared ineligible. Star guard Lagerald Vick continues to sit out for undisclosed reasons, while Marcus Garrett is considered questionable and is dealing with an ankle injury.
Player to Watch
Kansas’ injury woes and lack of depth in the frontcourt has made Dedric Lawson all the more important. He was Kansas’ leading scorer the last time these teams met, and he played 40 minutes in that game. Lawson is averaging a double-double on the season, and he has been one of the best big men in the nation. Dean Wade and Kansas State should be able to get a huge road win if they can keep him in check.
Prediction
I expect that the oddsmakers will make the line in this game very narrow. Kansas has one of the best home advantages in the country, but Kansas State is clearly in better shape and has a much easier game (Oklahoma State) two days before these teams square off. I think the Jayhawks will fight hard, but it won’t be enough as Kansas State gets the win and all but ends Kansas’ run.
CBB Betting Odds: Kansas State 74, Kansas 71
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