The No. 19 Kansas Jayhawks (14-5) take on the Kansas State Wildcats (10-9) in Manhattan, Kansas. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Kansas is favored by 4.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -200. The total is set at 158.5 points.
Here’s my Kansas vs. Kansas State prediction and college basketball picks for January 24, 2026.
Kansas vs Kansas State Predictions and Picks
My Pick: Kansas State +4.5 (play to +4 if Peterson is out)
My Kansas vs Kansas State best bet is on the Wildcats to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Kansas vs. Kansas State Odds, Moneyline, Against The Spread, Over/Under
| Kansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 158.5 -110o / -110u | -200 |
| K State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 158.5 -110o / -110u | +165 |
- Kansas vs Kansas State spread: Kansas -4.5
- Kansas vs Kansas State over/under: 158.5 points
- Kansas vs Kansas State moneyline: Kansas -200, Kansas State +165
Kansas vs Kansas State Game Preview
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
Kansas has been on a roll of late, winning four of five games.
The Jayhawks are 14-5, with a 4-2 record in Big 12 play, but both losses came on the road against West Virginia and UCF.
The Jayhawks have one of the best scorers in America in freshman phenom Darryn Peterson. However, we'll see how he looks in this one after suffering an ankle injury in his last game. Kansas is a way different squad without the superstar guard.
When he's out, the Jayhawks have to lean into defense.
Kansas ranks 13th nationally in KenPom's defensive efficiency, so the Jayhawks are elite on that end of the court. But holding Kansas State under 70 points will be key if Peterson is out.
The Jayhawks limit teams to 45% shooting on 2s (13th nationally) and 28% from deep (11th).
Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. have developed nicely as secondary options next to Peterson. White provides some added floor spacing to open things for Flory Bidunga to crash the glass and catch lobs. He's averaging 15 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 42% from deep. Council Jr. is speedy and gets into the lane with a purpose.
Bidunga also deserves a little more love. He's been terrific, posting 14 points, eight rebounds, and close to three blocks per game. He'll boast a clear advantage over Kansas State's weak interior.
Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview
I don't trust much about the Jerome Tang era in Manhattan these days.
What I do trust is that Kansas State, which wasn't very good the past two years, beats Kansas at home.
Say what you will, but the fans show up for this game, and Tang is the type of coach who helps bring a tough home environment.
The Wildcats need to have an outlier scoring performance to beat Kansas outright. They rank 75th nationally in offensive efficiency and connect on 3s at a 37% clip. Plus, the Wildcats attempt 3s on 42% of field goals, so they'll let it fly.
PJ Haggerty needs another big-time performance. He scored 34 points in his last game against Utah and is one of the top scorers in America. Haggerty is also an efficient scorer, shooting 49% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc.
Tang and Co. will need David Castillo and Nate Johnson to play well. Castillo is shooting 39% from deep, and Johnson is at 40%. That pair has done well, benefiting from Haggerty's ability to get into the lane and attract attention.
Defense is a bit of a sore spot for Kansas State. The Wildcats rank 105th nationally in defensive efficiency, and opponents shoot 51% from 2-point range.
Khamari McGriff is a strong defender, but he's always in foul trouble. That pushes 7-foot-2 big man Dorin Buca onto the floor, and he's not fast enough to check Bidunga.
How To Make Kansas vs. Kansas State Picks
This is a tough game to handicap.
The line is at 4.5, suggesting Peterson isn't playing.
So, if Peterson is indeed out, I'll take Kansas State with the points.
I don't feel great about taking the Wildcats if the line is 4.5 with Peterson in there. If the line jumps to 6.5 or 7 with Peterson, that would make more sense.
So, I'd keep an eye on what happens here.
Kansas State is a live dog if Kansas's best player is out, but I think the Wildcats have the goods to compete either way.
My Pick: Kansas State +4.5 (play to +4 if Peterson is out)
