The Kansas State Wildcats take on the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, KS, on Saturday, March 7. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on CBS.
Kansas is favored by 17.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -2100. Kansas State, meanwhile, enters as a +17.5 underdog and is +1100 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 155.5 total points.
Here’s my Kansas State vs. Kansas predictions and college basketball picks for Saturday, March 7.
Kansas State vs Kansas Prediction
My Pick: Under 155.5 (Play to 152.5)
My Kansas State vs Kansas best bet is on both teams to go under the total. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Kansas State vs Kansas Odds
| Kansas State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -115 | 155.5 -110o / -110u | +1100 |
| Kansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -105 | 155.5 -110o / -110u | -2100 |
- Kansas State vs Kansas Spread: Kansas -17.5
- Kansas State vs Kansas Over/Under: 155.5 points
- Kansas State vs Kansas Moneyline: Kansas State +1100, Kansas -2100
Kansas State vs Kansas College Basketball Betting Preview
Kansas State Basketball
The season of struggles is almost over for Kansas State. With one game to go, it sits at 12-18 overall and 3-14 in the Big 12.
Its defense hasn't been the prettiest this season, but in its last three games, Kansas State ranks in the top 50 in defensive efficiency. In fact, in the Wildcats' win over West Virginia, they forced 13 turnovers and scored 20 points off them.
P.J. Haggerty didn't play in the win over WVU due to an apparent injury he suffered in practice leading up to the game. The school said he's day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game. If Kansas State is without the nation's third-leading scorer going into Allen Fieldhouse, things may get out of hand quickly.
UNC Wilmington transfer Khamari McGriff stepped up in Haggerty's absence, scoring 18 points to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes.
That was the first time McGriff scored in double figures since he scored 14 points back on Jan. 17 at Oklahoma State.
Kansas Basketball
Kansas was one of the hottest teams in the country a month ago. But now, the Jayhawks are 21-9 overall and 11-6 in the Big 12 after dropping back-to-back games in the state of Arizona.
They've lost four out of their last six games, with the most recent loss coming in a game where head coach Bill Self got tossed.
Offense has been an issue for the Jayhawks during this span, shooting 41.1% from 2 (362nd) and 33.9% from 3 (188th) with a free-throw rate of 25.3% (323rd).
Star Darryn Peterson is coming off his worst game of the season, shooting 3-of-18 with four fouls and three turnovers at Arizona State. He's shooting 30% from the field in KU's last three games.
For the Jayhawks to get out of their offensive funk, Peterson needs to get it going against a bottom-tier Big 12 defense.
Kansas had 25 offensive rebounds against an Arizona State defense that allows the most offensive rebounds in the Big 12 (37%), but it couldn't capitalize on those opportunities, scoring only six second-chance points.
Now, the Jayhawks get a second chance against a Wildcat defense that ranks similarly in offensive rebounds (36.8%) allowed to opponents.
Kansas State vs Kansas Pick, Betting Analysis
Kansas and Kansas State are 2-4 in their last six games, with both defenses ranking in the top 30 in defensive efficiency while their offenses have sputtered.
If Haggerty can't go, I'm not sure how this Kansas State team scores any points.
The question for Kansas is, can this team capitalize on second-chance points against a defense that struggles to rebound? The Jayhawks scored only six second-chance points on 25 offensive rebounds in their loss to Arizona State.
The Jayhawks need to get things going on offense, especially Peterson, but this Kansas State defense has played better of late. Points may be tough to come by on Saturday.
My Pick: Under 155.5 (Play to 152.5)
