Kansas-Kansas State men’s basketball preview

▪ WHEN/WHERE: 1 p.m. Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence

▪ TV/RADIO: ESPN; WHB (810 AM) for the K-State broadcast and KCSP (610 AM) for the KU broadcast

▪ ABOUT KANSAS STATE (12-9, 5-3 Big 12): The Wildcats may have to play this game without one of their top scorers, senior forward Nino Williams. Coach Bruce Weber says Williams is doubtful to play because of a sprained left knee. If he is unable to go, K-State will have to get creative with its lineup and substitutions. On Tuesday against West Virginia, Weber went primarily with Malek Harris at power forward, but that was against a small, quick opponent. Kansas boasts more size, which could make 6-foot-11 forwards Stephen Hurt and Brandon Bolden better options. Hurt stepped outside and made several key jumpers when K-State won at Oklahoma. He would give the Wildcats a boost by doing the same Saturday.

▪ ABOUT KANSAS (17-3, 6-1 Big 12): Kansas coach Bill Self believes sophomore guard Wayne Selden is poised to improve as the Jayhawks enter the teeth of Big 12 play. Selden, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, is averaging just six points per game in KU’s last three contests. He’s also shooting just 33 percent from the floor in conference play while scoring in double figures just once. “Wayne can play better,” Self said. “He’s great, but he knows he can play better. I think we can all play better.” With a Big Monday matchup with Iowa State looming, the Jayhawks need a victory to keep some breathing room atop the Big 12. Also on Saturday: TCU plays at Iowa State, 5-2, while West Virginia, 5-2, plays host to Texas Tech. For KU, though, two victories in three days could certainly do that. The Jayhawks have won 48 of their last 52 games against K-State, dating back to 1994. And Kansas has beaten Kansas State eight straight times at Allen Fieldhouse.

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 7:10 PM with the headline "Kansas-Kansas State men’s basketball preview."