The Kansas State men’s basketball team gets set to take on the Wichita State Shockers at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan., on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. central on ESPN+. The Wildcats (6-4) and the Shockers (8-3) are unranked.
This is the last test for Kansas State before it gets a nine-day break to prepare for its Big 12 opener at home against Cincinnati on Dec. 30. The Wildcats enter the game with an 0-2 record against power conference teams, along with losses to Liberty and Drake.
The Shockers are always a mid-major program to be reckoned with for high-major teams like Kansas State. Wichita State won its first six games of the season but have lost three of its last five. Wichita State has a 1-2 record against high-major teams, with the win coming against Minnesota.
Here is a preview of Saturday’s game.
How to Watch Kansas State vs. Wichita State
Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN+
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Site: Charles Koch Arena, Wichita, Kan.
Kansas State vs. Wichita State Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: K-State -1.5
Current Line: K-State -2.5
Over/Under: 153
Kansas State vs. Wichita State Predictions
It’s been a rough go for the Wildcats lately and they need a bounce-back win, no matter the opponent.
Along with carrying a two-game losing streak in the Wichita State game, coach Jerome Tang dismissed Achor Achor from the team and guard Coleman Hawkins talked about the choice words he’s getting from the fan base (turns out the person he was criticizing wasn’t a K-State fan). But, that didn’t stop a Kansas State legend from criticizing Hawkins.
It’s a bit of a mess right now. The roster isn’t well-constructed. David N’Guessan is having a great season (14.1 points, 7.0 rebounds). But the Wildcats don’t have an inside presence as they did two years ago with Keyontae Johnson and the defense is leaky.
Wichita State has a win over a high-major team, but that 91-72 loss to DePaul really sticks out. The Blue Demons had lost three of their last four games, all against high-major teams and they weren’t that competitive in any of those games. The fac that the Shockers were blown out is a bit eyebrow-raising.
The Shockers can mix it up with four players averaging over double figures — guard Justin Hill (14.1), forward Corey Washington (12.2), guard Xavier Bell (11.4) and guard Harlond Beverly (10.2). Center Quincy Ballard averages nearly seven rebounds.
The 3-point shooting could be a difference. The Shockers are at 30%. The Wildcats are at nearly 38%.
Wichita State 76, Kansas State 72
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Kansas State (54.2% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
