K-State Wildcats vs BYU Cougars: Big 12 basketball game time, TV, odds and prediction
The Kansas State men’s basketball team will try to add to its impressive winning streak when it hits the road to play the BYU Cougars on Saturday at Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.
Here’s everything you need to know before tipoff, including a score prediction:
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Marriott Center in Provo, Utah
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita
Betting line: BYU by 5.5
Over/under: 146.5.
STARTING LINEUPS
P | No. | BYU | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 0 | Mawot Mag | 6-7 | Sr. | 5.5 |
F | 15 | Richie Saunders | 6-5 | Jr. | 14.9 |
F | 13 | Keba Keita | 6-8 | Jr. | 6.3 |
G | 3 | Egor Demin | 6-9 | Fr. | 11.3 |
G | 21 | Trevin Knell | 6-5 | Sr. | 9.4 |
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 33 | Coleman Hawkins | 6-10 | Sr. | 11.0 |
F | 1 | David N’Guessan | 6-9 | Sr. | 13.1 |
G | 2 | Max Jones | 6-4 | Sr. | 9.8 |
G | 11 | Brendan Hausen | 6-4 | Jr. | 11.8 |
G | 0 | Dug McDaniel | 5-11 | Jr. | 11.0 |
About BYU (16-8, 7-6 Big 12)
The Cougars are coming off a 73-69 road win against West Virginia. Much like K-State, they are a bubble team that has hope of reaching the NCAA Tournament with a strong finish. Kevin Young is in his first season as the BYU coach. The Cougars are as potent as they have ever been on offense, as they are shooting 36.9% from 3-point range and 58.4% from 2-point range. They also avoid turnovers and crash the glass for offensive rebounds. But they are weak on defense against the 3-pointer, as they allow teams to shoot 35% from distance. Richie Saunders leads the team in scoring.
About Kansas State (13-11, 7-6 Big 12)
The Wildcats are coming off a 73-70 victory over Arizona. Of course, K-State has done a lot of winning lately. Jerome Tang’s team has won six straight games to enter the NCAA Tournament conversation. K-State has been getting contributions from all over during its winning streak, as four starters are averaging more than 10 points per game. The fifth (Max Jones) is averaging 9.8. Dug McDaniel has looked like one of the best guards in the country lately. David N’Guessan has also been a consistent scorer.
K-State game prediction
It’s long past time to take this K-State basketball team seriously.
The Wildcats have won six straight games, and their hot streak is no fluke. Dug McDaniel is playing at a high level, N’Guessan is scoring almost at will and K-State is also playing strong on defense.
Still, this game is an opportunity for Jerome Tang’s team to leave no doubt.
BYU is a quality team that benefits from an incredible home-court advantage. Not only is the Marriott Center routinely packed with nearly 20,000 fans, but the arena is located high up in the mountains. It is difficult for any team to go to Provo, Utah and win. The Cougars are 11-2 at home this season, with the losses coming against Texas Tech and Arizona.
In other words, only the best teams in the Big 12 can beat BYU there.
The Wildcats can prove they have staying power, and inch closer to the NCAA Tournament, with a win on Saturday. But it won’t be easy. BYU has a skilled roster that is filled with shooters. And Young likes to play a big rotation. Fatigue could be a factor for K-State late in this game.
Weird stat: K-State is also 0-4 against religious schools this season, losing to Liberty, St. John’s, TCU and Baylor.
There is a good chance this game will be won or lost at the 3-point line. BYU routinely makes double-digit shots from beyond the arc. But it also gives up a lot of 3-pointers. When it lost at home to Arizona and Texas Tech, those teams combined to make 18 shots from the outside.
If Brendan Hausen has one of his best games and McDaniel stays hot, K-State could shoot its way to an important road victory.
But the Wildcats will need to limit the Cougars in all areas, as they can score on the inside and from the perimeter.
I expect this to be a high-scoring, fast-paced game.
BYU figures to have an advantage in that setting, especially at home with the Cougars hunting for an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament.
This K-State winning streak has to end eventually, right?
BYU 85, K-State 78
Last game prediction: Arizona 78, K-State 73
Actual score: K-State 73, Arizona 70
Season record: 16-8
Season record ATS: 11-13
Season record O/U: 12-12
This story was originally published February 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "K-State Wildcats vs BYU Cougars: Big 12 basketball game time, TV, odds and prediction."