Kansas vs. K-State prediction: Will KU bounce back with seniors starting Saturday?
The Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team is set to finish out its regular-season slate on Saturday vs. rival K-State at Allen Fieldhouse.
No. 14 KU (21-9, 11-6 Big 12) lost to Arizona State on Tuesday, while K-State beat West Virginia. The Jayhawks beat K-State earlier in the season.
Here is more about Saturday’s game, including a scouting report and prediction:
Kansas basketball vs. K-State: Game details
When: 1 p.m. Central on Saturday
Where: Allen Fieldhouse
TV/streaming: CBS
Opponent’s record: 12-18
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) ranking: 100
Betting line: KU by 16.5
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats include only Division-I competition.
Kansas State Strengths
- Plenty of experience: KSU ranks No. 49 in Division-I experience (2.09 years).
- 3-point shooters: K-State ranks No. 75 in 3-point percentage (35.8%).
- Okay offense: Kansas State ranks No. 114 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (112.6), which measures the number of points scored per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponent.
Kansas State Weaknesses
- Perimeter defense issues: Opponents are shooting 33.3% on 3-pointers vs. KSU, ranking No. 145 nationally.
- Defensive struggles overall: Opponents have an effective field-goal percentage of 51.5%, which ranks Kansas State No. 186 overall.
- Free-throw issues: Kansas ranks No. 239 in free-throw percentage (70.7%).
Kansas State Name to Know
6-foot-4 junior guard P.J. Haggerty (No. 4)
+ Elite scorer (23.3 points per game)
+ Solid rebounder (5.3 per game)
+ Good shooter (35.3% on 3-pointers)
+ Pest on defense (1.1 steals per game)
+ Quality facilitator (4.0 assists per game)
- Turnover prone (3.3 per game)
Kansas-Kansas State game prediction
After going 0-2 on their Arizona road trip, this is the perfect bounce back game for the Jayhawks.
Not only is it Senior Night for KU, but K-State is a pretty bad team. Kansas hasn’t lost on Senior Night in a very long time.
I don’t expect that to change vs. K-State. The goal for the Jayhawks will be to limit P.J. Haggerty. If KU can turn him into an inefficient scorer, this should be an easy KU victory.
I expect KU to win this one, but I think the spread is too big.
Prediction: Kansas 75, K-State 62
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: K-State (+16.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 23-7
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 20-9
Player to Watch: Melvin Council
If there’s one KU transfer who has embraced being a Jayhawk, it’s Melvin Council. He’s talked about how emotional Senior Day will be for him, and it’s hard to blame him.
He’s embraced KU at every turn as the fan base has done for him as well. I expect Council to have a big game in his last-ever game at Allen Fieldhouse.
This story was originally published March 7, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
