The Cincinnati Bearcats and the Kansas State Wildcats tip off Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Monday, Dec. 30, in Manhattan, Kan.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. central on CBS Sports Network. The Bearcats (10-1) have been nationally ranked all season, while the Wildcats (6-5) are unranked.
Both teams have been on an extended break since the end of non-conference action, so there could be some rust to shake off. It’s the first of 20 league games for the next 10 weeks as the Big 12 marches toward the conference tournament in Kansas City in mid-March.
Here is a preview of Monday’s game.
How to Watch Cincinnati vs. Kansas State
Date: Monday, December 30, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. CT
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
Site: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.
Cincinnati vs. Kansas State Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Cincinnati -4
Current Line: Cincinnati -4
Over/Under: 140
Cincinnati vs. Kansas State Predictions
The Bearcats have played like the team they were projected to play like — a Top 25 unit that should be competitive with the top tier of the conference. Cincinnati even did without Dan Skillings Jr. for a few games due to injury.
Forward Dillon Mitchell has been a game-changer for Cincinnati. Aside from the hops he showed in two years with Texas, he’s emerged as a better outside shooter while leading the team with 7.5 rebounds per game. He’s averaging 11.4 points, too. Guard Simas Lukosius (14.9 ppg), guard Jizzle James (12.0 ppg) and Skillings (10.2 ppg) all average double figures.
But forward Aziz Bandaogo (9.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg) might be the key here. Cincinnati needs his length and that was exposed last season when he was hurt for a portion of the campaign.
Kansas State has had a messy non-conference, down to getting trolled by Wichita State after the Shockers beat them in non-conference. K-State has lost three straight games and hasn’t yet beaten a high-major team. But Big 12 play represents a fresh start.
Guard David N’Guessan has gotten off to a tremendous start (13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and guard Brendan Hausen (13.9 ppg, 43.2% from the 3-point line) is the team’s leading scorer. But, the Wildcats need more from Coleman Hawkins (9.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and K-State really doesn’t have an interior game that can match up with Cincinnati’s.
Cincinnati 78, Kansas State 71
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Cincinnati (74.1% Chance of Winning)
Odds Shark: Cincinnati 84, K-State 63
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
