Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State Wildcats Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Kansas State Wildcats are backsliding at the wrong time of the year. They have lost four of their last five games, and their last two losses came against the two teams at the bottom of the Big 12 standings. Kansas State is still ranked and in position to make the NCAA Tournament, but the Wildcats need to stop the bleeding and soon. They will take on another slumping team this Saturday when they face the Iowa State Cyclones.

On Saturday, February 18, 2023, the Kansas State Wildcats will host the Iowa State Cyclones at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. This game is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Prediction

Iowa State emerged victorious when these teams met in Ames last month. There were a whopping 56 points in the final 10 minutes as these teams went back and forth, and the Cyclones held on to win 80-76 over the Wildcats. Jaren Holmes was the star of the game with 23 points and seven assists, but the St. Bonaventure transfer hasn't been as effective since that point. Kansas State has only lost one game at home this year, and the Wildcats will lean on that advantage to help them break their recent losing streak.

Score Prediction: Kansas State 74, Iowa State 68
Best Bet: Kansas State -3 (-110)

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Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Odds

Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Resources

Date: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
TV-Time: ESPN, 2:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Bramlage Coliseum
Location: Manhattan, Kansas
Matchup
Expert Picks

Big 12 Tournament Odds

Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Stats

Iowa State Cyclones
SU: 17-8
ATS: 14-11
O/U: 9-16
PPG: 70.1
OPPG: 61.6

Kansas State Wildcats
SU: 19-7
ATS: 16-10
O/U: 14-12
PPG: 75.9
OPPG:68.6

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS), Over-Under (O/U)
Points Per Game (PPG), Opponents Points Per Game (OPPG)

Updated on 04/18/2024

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Iowa State Cyclones Betting Analysis

Jaren Holmes has been the top scoring threat on Iowa State this season. Holmes is averaging 13.6 PPG, and he has been an above average shooter. Caleb Grill is the other solid perimeter shooter on the team, and he is averaging 10.0 PPG while making 37.7% of his threes on the year. The return of Aljaz Kunc gives the Cyclones a third player that can score from distance, as Kunc is coming off his best outing of the season. He didn't play often in his first three games back after missing 10 games due to injury, but he exploded for 22 points and made 5 of 8 three-pointers in a victory over TCU on Wednesday.

However, Iowa State is one of the worst teams when it comes to converting its chances from the free throw line. The Cyclones are making just 66.8% of their free throws on the season, and Kunc is tops on the team at 78.1% from the line. They also turn the ball over a lot, leading to this offense being ranked 74th nationally according to Ken Pomeroy.

The Cyclones have been strong on defense under T.J. Otzelberger though. They are ranked 7th in the nation in defense per Pomeroy, as they force more turnovers than all but one team in the nation. Freshman Tamin Lipsey is one of the best perimeter defenders in the country, and he ranks in the top 50 nationally in steal percentage. Lipsey is one of six players on Iowa State that is averaging more than a steal per game.

Kansas State Wildcats Betting Analysis

It's largely been a two-man show for Kansas State this season. Florida transfer Keyontae Johnson has been one of the top frontcourt players in the Big Ten, and he should earn all-conference honors. Johnson is averaging 17.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG while making over 51% of his field goals and 40% of his three-point attempts. There were concerns over how effective he would be after only playing five games in the previous two seasons due to injury, but he has proven he can thrive when healthy once again.

Markquis Nowell is currently the No. 2 rated player in the Big 12 according to Ken Pomeroy. The 5'8 guard is one of the best shot creators in the nation, and he can create opportunities for himself despite his lack of size. Nowell is averaging 16.8 PPG and 7.6 APG, and he ranks third nationally in assist rate. He is an extremely reliable free throw shooter too, knocking down almost 88% of his freebies.

Kansas State does an excellent job defending the three-point line with teams making just 29.4% of their threes against this team on the year. However, the Wildcats can have some trouble boxing out on the glass and do foul opponents often, and those have been major problems during their recent losing slump.