Kansas vs. Kansas State College Basketball prediction, preview
Kansas got off to a shaky start of the road this season, going 1-3 straight up and against the spread. The lone win came in overtime at NC State, with Melvin Council having a career game from downtown. The Jayhawks began conference play losing their first two road games outright at favorites at UCF and West Virginia.
Since the WVU loss, however, Kansas seems to have turned things around. It got its win of the season with a blowout over Iowa State at home, then dismantled Baylor. The Jayhawks kept the momentum going on Tuesday night in Boulder, getting its first Big 12 road win of the season, winning by six points and covering against Colorado.
However, now the Jayhawks have to play consecutive road games, and this one happens to be a big Saturday night rivalry game. Darryn Peterson has been tremendous when he is on the floor, but he’s tagged as questionable for this one with the hamstring issues that have been hampering him all season. Peterson’s scoring will be much needed in a hostile road environment.
Kansas State has not been very good this season, but the spot screams a classic rise to the occasion Saturday night home game. The Wildcats are 4-4 ATS as an underdog this season, and Saturday will mark just the second time they’ve been in the home underdog role. KSU was riding a five-game losing streak into this week, but finally got over the hump at home against Utah — improving to 8-4 this season in The Little Apple.
Is there a big talent gap in this game? Yes. But there generally is in this rivalry, yet the Wildcats have covered four of the last six meetings. KSU also has P.J. Haggerty on its side, who’s doing it all, averaging 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. I think the Wildcats can manufacture some magic at home and hang around in this one.
CBB Pick: Kansas State +5.5 (-110)
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