K-State Wildcats vs Cincinnati Bearcats: Big 12 basketball game time, TV, odds & pick

The Kansas State men’s basketball team will try to close out its Big 12 road schedule on a high note when it heads to Cincinnati at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Fifth Third Arena.

Here’s everything you need to know before tipoff, including a score prediction:

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati

Stream: ESPN+

Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita

Betting line: Cincinnati by 9.5

Over/under: 136.5.

STARTING LINEUPS

About Cincinnati (17-12, 7-11 Big 12)

The Bearcats got off to a disastrous 2-8 start in Big 12 play, but they have improved since then by winning five of their past eight games to remain in the conversation for an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. They have won all four of their home games during that stretch. Jizzle James leads the team in scoring. The talented guard is capable of scoring in the mid range and stepping outside to make 3-pointers. But the Bearcats like to play through big men Dillon Mitchell and Aziz Bandaogo. Cincinnati is at its best on defense, where it forces turnovers on 19.2% of all possessions and only allows opponents to shoot 32.2% from beyond the arc.

About Kansas State (14-15, 8-10 Big 12)

The Wildcats are coming off a home victory against Colorado that gave them a shot at finishing with a .500 record in conference play. They won that game thanks to 21 points and nine rebounds from David N’Guessan. K-State won its first meeting against Cincinnati 70-67 at Bramlage Coliseum. But it is expected to be without Coleman Hawkins and possibly Mobi Ikegwuruka in the rematch. K-State is also at its best on defense, so points could come at a premium in this matchup.

K-State game prediction

Much has changed for both of these teams since they last played in December.

The Wildcats defeated the Bearcats 70-67 at the beginning of conference play, but they surprised Cincinnati by inserting Dug McDaniel into the starting layup. They were also fully healthy.

K-State won’t have the element of surprise or a complete roster when it heads to Cincinnati for the rematch. The Wildcats are expected to be without starting forward Coleman Hawkins as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Reserve forward Mobi Ikegwuruka is also considered questionable as he deals with a setback of his own.

For those reasons, I expect Cincinnati to protect its home court on Wednesday.

The Bearcats have improved over the past few months, as they have won five of their past eight games. Jizzle James is one of the most creative scorers in the conference and the Wildcats will have problems handling the front-court combination of Dillon Mitchell/Aziz Bandaogo.

Motivation should also be on Cincinnati’s side as the Bearcats fight to remain on the the NCAA Tournament bubble.

One more thing: Cincinnati has won its past four home games by an average of 10.5 points. K-State has lost its past three road games by an average of eight points.

The Bearcats deserve to be favored in this one.

Cincinnati 71, K-State 63

Last game prediction: K-State 69, Colorado 64

Actual score: K-State 65, Colorado 56

Season record: 19-10

Season record ATS: 13-16

Season record O/U: 15-14

This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "K-State Wildcats vs Cincinnati Bearcats: Big 12 basketball game time, TV, odds & pick."

Kellis Robinett

The Wichita Eagle

Kellis Robinett covers Kansas State athletics for The Wichita Eagle and The Kansas City Star. A winner of more than a dozen national writing awards, he lives in Manhattan with his wife and four children.