Top-5 matchup: Kansas State trying to avenge recent loss to Kansas

Two of the top contenders for March Madness odds will throw down tonight when Kansas State pays a visit to rival Kansas. The Wildcats—a nine-point underdog at BroburySports.com — have won seven straight, with their last defeat coming at the hands of the Jayhawks.

No. 5 Kansas State at No. 2 Kansas – 8:00 p.m. ET

Kansas (27-2, 10-15-1 ATS) suffered its first loss in 14 games in Saturday’s 85-77 defeat at Oklahoma State. Although the Jayhawks have been regular winners on the hardwood, they’ve been real losers on college basketball odds—Kansas has lost five straight against the spread and is just 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games. Playing at Allen Fieldhouse offers little comfort, as Kansas is 3-7 against the point spread in its last 10 home games, including four consecutive losses.

The Jayhawks field the country’s fourth-ranked offense. Four players are averaging double-digit scoring, which helps add up to an impressive 82.4 points per night. Sherron Collins tops the stat sheet at 15.3 PPG. He’s coming off a 22-point effort against Oklahoma State. Averaging 21.3 points per night over his past three games, fellow guard Xavier Henry is also playing quite well lately. Defensively, Kansas yields 63.8 points per game, though that number is up to 75.6 over the past three.

Kansas State (24-4, 17-6 ATS) is riding a seven-game winning streak, the most recent victory a 63-53 home win over Missouri. Unlike the Jayhawks, Kansas State has been a force on sportsbook odds; the team has covered its last three outings and is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games. The Wildcats have been even better away from home, covering eight of their past 10 games on the road.

The Wildcat offense is nearly as potent as Kansas’ at 80.4 points per game. Guard Jacob Pullen has been a force; the junior leads Kansas State in scoring at 18.5 points per night, though he’s been a little up-and-down lately. Pullen notched just 11 points against Mizzou and 14 last week against Oklahoma, but he also recently torched Texas Tech for 28. When Pullen isn’t rolling the team often turns to senior guard Denis Clemente. Clemente, averaging 15.8 points per game on the year, is as capable as anyone of dropping a 20-plus-point game. At the other end of the floor, Kansas State slightly trails the Jayhawks, allowing 68.3 points per game on. They’ve held opponents to 68 points or less in three straight.

Kansas State’s last loss was an 81-79 overtime battle in late January—to Kansas. It improved the Jayhawks to 8-2 straight up in their past 10 meetings with Kansas State, though they’re just 6-4 against the spread. The total (set at 149.5 at BetED.com) has gone over in five straight games between these teams.