Kansas Jayhawks vs. K-State Wildcats: Can KSU beat this KU team in basketball Saturday?
The No. 9-ranked Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team is set to play in-state rival Kansas State on Saturday.
Both teams are coming off losses: K-State fell to Texas Tech on Tuesday and KU stumbled at Iowa State on Wednesday.
Here is a scouting report and prediction for Saturday’s game:
No. 9 Kansas vs. Kansas State
When/where: 1 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse
TV/streaming: CBS
Opponent’s record: 7-9
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) ranking: 97
Betting line: Kansas is a 14.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com, Hoop-Math.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats only include Division I competition.
Kansas State Strengths
Solid defense: The Wildcats rank No. 96 in adjusted defensive efficiency (102.3). Adjusted defensive efficiency is the number of points given up per 100 possessions. KU ranks No. 3 in the same metric.
Turnover creators: K-State does a good job of forcing turnovers, with the Wildcats’ opponents possessing a turnover percentage of 18.4. That ranks No. 122 overall.
Plenty of experience: KSU ranks No. 48 in Division I experience (2.55 years).
Kansas State Weaknesses
Turnover prone: KSU ranks No. 239 in turnover percentage (18.4).
Nothing easy at the line: The Wildcats struggle at the free-throw line, shooting 67.9%. That ranks No. 286.
Struggles defending the long ball: Kansas State ranks No. 204 in opposing team 3-point percentage (36.2%).
Kansas State Name to Know
6-foot-9 senior guard David N’Guessan (No. 5)
+ Quality scorer (12.6 PPG)
+ Good rebounder (7.4 rebounds per game)
+ Efficient scorer (FG% of 64.3%)
+ Doesn’t turn the ball over much (.9 TPG)
- Bad free throw shooter (FT % of 58.6)
- Not much of a passer (2.8 APG)
Game Prediction
Put simply, the 2024-25 Wildcats are not a good basketball team. And under coach Jerome Tang, they’ve usually gotten blown out at Allen Fieldhouse.
That said, this is a rivalry game. In theory, anything can happen. K-State’s opponents have shot a blistering 36.2% from deep this season, so KU should attempt — and make — ample long-range shots. And finally, K-State isn’t very good on the offensive end.
This should be a Jayhawks win, with a K-State cover.
Kansas 80, K-State 67
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Kansas State (+14.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 13-3
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 9-7.
KU Player to watch: Rylan Griffen
KU’s KJ Adams is out with a separate shoulder. Rylan Griffen will likely take his place in the starting lineup against the Wildcats.
Griffen has had an up-and-down season but has looked better since conference play began. Let’s see if he can keep it going against one of the Jayhawks’ most bitter rivals.
