2019 Big 12 Championship Betting Odds, Preview: Will Iowa State Cover vs. Kansas Again?

Big 12 Championship Betting Odds: Iowa State-Kansas

• Spread: Kansas -1
• Total: 145
• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

The definition of zombie is "an entity that may have been supernaturally reanimated."

The regular season for Iowa State and Kansas compared to their individual conference tournament performances could be described as zombie-like.

Iowa State lost five of six heading into the tournament, failing to cover its final three contests. There was a dispute on court that led to tempers in the Cyclones' locker room. Iowa State seemed to be an easy postseason fade.

Speaking of postseason fade, Kansas did not win or share the Big 12 regular season title for the first time since 2003. It was 2-9 against the spread away from Allen Fieldhouse in the Big 12. The Jayhawks lacked the ability to create havoc, ranking ninth in turnover and eighth in steals within the conference.

But since tournament play began, the Jayhawks have found their rhythm in covering efforts against Texas and West Virginia.

While both teams showed cracks and have been better this week, this series has been all Iowa State lately. Kansas has failed to cover against Iowa State its previous five tries.

Iowa State ranks in the top three in numerous categories from blocks, steals, 3-pointers and free throws. This Iowa State team ranks No. 9 in the country in effective field goal percentage and may be able to expose a Kansas team that ranks outside the top 100 defensively defending the deep ball.

Kansas just hasn't been the same without guard Lagerald Vick and big man Udoka Azubuike. Iowa State stays hot and wins the Big 12 title.

The Pick: Iowa State +1