Kansas State vs Kansas Betting Odds – Jayhawks complete sweep of state rivals, keep winning at home

Kansas has been an online betting favorite in the NCAA all year, especially at home, where they are on an outlandish streak right now. The Jayhawks will host Kansas State in a massive game on Wednesday, and this could be a classic after the two clashed in an overtime game in January. This one won’t go to overtime, as the Jayhawks will go after Kansas State’s guards to earn another win at home.

The Storyline: Kansas State vs Kansas Betting Odds
The No.5 Wildcats (24-4, 11-3) beat Missouri 63-53 for their seventh consecutive win, and a victory on Wednesday would keep their dream of a first conference crown since 1977 alive. The No.2 Jayhawks (27-2, 13-1) fell 85-77 at Oklahoma State for their first conference loss, but they’re still in line for a No.1 seed. These state rivals fought on January 30th, and that ended with an 81-79 overtime win for the Jayhawks at Kansas State, and the Wildcats would love nothing more than to end Kansas’ 58-game home winning streak

Offensive Matchups: Kansas State vs Kansas Betting Odds
The Wildcats turn the ball over far too much and they’re terrible at the foul line, but they’re always in the game with Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente, who have free reign to put it up from anywhere. Kansas State also receives a shot in the arm off the bench from Jamar Samuels, who led the Wildcats with 14 points off the pine against Missouri. The Wildcats can score with Kansas, but they have to take care of the ball.
The Jayhawks are potent inside and outside, and they’re an unselfish team who passes the ball around, and doesn’t turn it over that much. However, for all their talent Kansas forgets sometimes that Cole Aldrich is on the floor, on the offensive end anyway. Freshman Xavier Henry is coming on, and Sherron Collins is their clutch player, but Aldrich needs to be huge at this time of year.

Betting Edge: Kansas

Defensive Matchups: Kansas State vs Kansas Betting Odds
Kansas State can score, but their sportsbook hopes for the NCAA Tournament rest with their defense, which can be inconsistent at times. The Wildcats rebound as a team, and they block more shots than they should, but they commit a lot of fouls, which gives their opponents extra chances.
As talented as the Jayhawks are on offense, they’re just as good defensively, powered by Aldrich, who is sixth in the nation in blocks. Everything is funneled to the middle to give Aldrich a chance to use his shotblocking instincts. Aldrich also allows the Jayhawks to gamble on the perimeter, as they know they have the big guy backing them up.

Betting Edge: Kansas

Coaching Matchup: Kansas State vs Kansas Betting Odds
Frank Martin got this team on track after a tough loss to Kansas, and they’ve won seven straight since. The Wildcats could have let that loss bother them, but they’ve used it instead to push their way up the Big 12, and they take their lead from the intense Martin.
Kansas also is an extension of their coach, Bill Self, in that they don’t panic when things go badly. The loss to Oklahoma State can only be a lesson for the Jayhawks that talent isn’t everything, and Self will have these guys ready to go on Wednesday.

Betting Edge: Draw

Betting Prediction: Kansas State vs Kansas Betting Odds
The Jayhawks will be favored at home, and they’ve won eight of their last 10 against the Wildcats, who have won just once in their last 17 trips to Lawrence. This has the potential to be one of the best games of the year, especially after the first meeting in Manhattan, and the Jayhawks did an excellent job of containing Pullen and Clemente. Even though they got their points, the Kansas State guards didn’t shoot well, which trickled through the rest of the team. That will be Kansas’ formula for success again, and they’ll be upset after the Oklahoma State loss, as well.

Washington’s Pick: Kansas

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