The Kansas State Wildcats are headed to Allen Fieldhouse to face No. 14 Kansas to bring Big 12 play to a close on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT on CBS. The Jayhawks (21-9, 11-6 Big 12) are coming off a 70-60 loss at Arizona State and a two-game losing slide inside the Cactus State. The Wildcats (12-18, 3-14 Big 12), led by interim coach Matthew Driscoll, finally snapped a three-game losing streak against West Virginia 65-63 at home on Tuesday. Here is our prediction, preview, odds and key storylines to get you ready for tipoff in Lawrence.
Kansas State vs. Kansas Game Odds
Kansas enters the contest as a 16.5-point favorite with an over/under of 152.5 points after a tough road trip to the desert.
Key Storyline: How Much Does This One Mean to Two Teams on Drastically Different Paths?
Winning the last meeting in Manhattan by 24, Kansas enters this matchup as the strong favorite inside a raucous environment at Allen Fieldhouse. The fans live for this kind of rivalry game, and it’s the perfect fodder to get Kansas back on track entering the league tournament next week. But the Jayhawks shot just 29% at Arizona State on Tuesday and looked as bad as they have all season, despite a handful of encouraging wins in the new year. Kansas State, on the other hand, is playing for pride and perhaps a bump in seeding for the league tournament, but the odds are stacked high against the Wildcats.
Match Up to Watch: Melvin Council and P.J. Haggerty
St. Bonaventure transfer Melvin Council Jr. has only played one Sunflower Showdown in his career, but the emerging fan favorite has clearly taken a liking to the theatrics and emotion that come along with such a rivalry contest. Likewise, P.J. Haggerty, a junior, is playing what could easily be his final game against Kansas, should the Crosby, Texas, native transfer yet again following the firing of Jerome Tang earlier this season. Either way, it’s a big-time building, and Haggerty and the Wildcats have one last chance to make a statement.
Prediction: Kansas 82, Kansas State 70
After such a disappointing trip to Arizona, the Jayhawks will be ready to get back in shape against their in-state rival at home to end the regular season. I don’t see much of a chance for the Wildcats here, but it’s Kansas after all, and more teams have pressured the Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse this season than Bill Self would like to admit. Maybe it stays close in the first half, but I can’t imagine Kansas would screw around enough to give up a game like this.
