North Texas vs. Kansas State (-16) Point Spread Picks

Kansas State (26-7, 19-9 ATS) isn't exactly screaming into the NCAA Tournament with a ton of momentum. The Wildcats have lost three of their past five games, including two to in-state rival Kansas. KSU dropped a 72-64 decision to the Jayhawks in last week's Big 12 tournament. The mini-slump has carried over to college basketball odds, too, with Kansas State going 2-3 in its last five games against the spread. The Wildcats are still a solid 6-4 ATS in their past 10 games, though.

If the Wildcats have had a weakness this season, it's been Kansas. Kansas State has seven losses this season and three have come at the hands of the Jayhawks. The team's three leading scorers during the season-Jacob Pullen (18.9 PPG), Denis Clemente (16.2 PPG) and Jamar Samuels (11.9 PPG)-each delivered double-digit scoring efforts in the Big 12 tournament loss, but their teammates were a letdown. That impressive trio put up 44 points while the rest of the team mustered just 20. A more complete effort will be needed to go deep into March Madness.

North Texas (24-8, 17-6-2 ATS) is riding high after a 66-63 win over Troy to win the Sun Belt championship. It was the Mean Green's 11th consecutive victory. More importantly, North Texas has excelled on NCAA basketball odds. The team has lost just once in its last eight games featuring sportsbook odds, rolling to a 6-1-1 record.

The Mean Green average 74.2 points per game and feature four players averaging double figures in scoring. Guards Josh White and Tristan Thompson lead the way, averaging 14.9 and 14.1 points per game, respectively. Forward George Odufuwa will also be a key; the junior has put up 11.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game this season. He was stellar in the championship win over Troy, racking up 11 points and 17 boards. Eric Tramiel, the team's third-leading scorer, paced North Texas with 20 points in that win.

North Texas and Kansas State have met just once in the past decade, way back in 2001. Kansas State crushed the Mean Green 84-70 for a win and cover. The total-which BetED.com has set at 148.5-went over.

Game Prediction

Check back later.