Kansas State hosts UCF on Wednesday night at Bramlage Coliseum with tip-off at 7:00 p.m. CT on Peacock. Kansas State comes in at 9-7 (0-3 Big 12), while UCF is 13-2 (2-1 Big 12). Last time out, Kansas State suffered a heartbreaking loss to Arizona State, 87-84. Meanwhile, UCF barely edged past Cincinnati 73-72. Kansas State enters the game as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under point total moving up to 170.5.
Top Storyline: Which Guards Show Up?
It’s no secret that the matchup in Manhattan is headlined by elite guards. Kansas State boasts PJ Haggerty, Abdi Bashir, and Nate Johnson, while UCF has Riley Kugel and Themus Fulks on its roster. The question comes down to who actually shows up. Haggerty’s been consistent in his scoring but has committed some horrible turnovers lately. Abdi Bashir is lights out from three, and Nate Johnson has actually been really bad in conference play. Riley Kugel has been a star in his final year of eligibility, and Fulks can score and dish with the best of them.
Match Up to Watch: Front Court Clash
One of the biggest mismatches here is the front-court battle between UCF and Kansas State. Simply put, the Wildcats have an awful front court with not many contributors to note. UCF’s big men are averaging 36.9 points and 21.4 rebounds per game (Stillwell, Cambridge, Bol, and Burks), while Kansas State is averaging a horrendous 20.4 points and 14.4 rebounds per game (McGriff, Buca, Manning, and Rapieque).
Prediction: UCF 88, Kansas State 81
While it’s never easy to bet on road dogs in the Big 12, this one just screams UCF. The group has lost two games this year, and Kansas State has lost seven. The Knights rebound the basketball incredibly well; K-State cannot rebound on either side of the court. When it comes to a game like this, Kansas State has yet to show it can compete with even league-average teams in the Big 12. Smart money should be on UCF, and that’s where I’d lean as well.
