by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Jan 21, 2022
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Venue: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, KS
Where to watch: BIG12/ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Check back later
BetMGM: Check back later
Caesars: Check back later
Season record
No. 7 Kansas: 15-2 (4-1 Big 12)
Kansas State: 10-7 (2-4 Big 12)
What a run for Oskeim Sports over the last week, going 13-3-0 in 16 selections and drawing a net profit of $9,810. Jeff Keim was 2-1 on Monday and is on a RED-HOT 78% all sports run and has PRODUCED a net profit of +$22,920 on the college hardwood this season so grab his #1 SEC Game of Week right now and start winning with one of the HOTTEST handicappers in the industry! Catch Jeff's plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Kansas - Kansas State preview, analysis and prediction
I’m not overthinking this one for as much as it should be a close game due to an in-state rivalry, but I’m taking the Kansas Jayhawks in a rout against the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan on Saturday.
Since their loss to Texas Tech on Jan. 8, which is nothing to hang the collective heads about, the Jayhawks responded with three straight wins to get things back on track.
Kansas is coming off a 67-64 win against the Oklahoma Sooners thanks to Christian Braun’s go-ahead 3-pointer and two free throws at the end to avoid an upset. Jalen Wilson led the way with 16 points, and Ochai Agbaji shook off a quiet start with 10 points in the final six minutes of the game.
"I don't think we did a great job of that tonight, but we did a good enough job," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I thought the ball stuck. I didn't think we did a lot of things very well. But we ... played pretty well the last four minutes, which is obviously the most important stretch of the game."
Kansas has shown shaky moments in conference play despite a 4-1 start. Three of those games have been decided by single digits and two of them by one possession. But in those games, you get a sense that coaching is going to be the X-Factor going forward.
Whenever Self is coaching, you have to be on alert for last-minute situations. Between the Iowa State and Oklahoma games, if it gets close, you know who’s drawing up the X’s and O’s at the right time. And when time gets to March, even though there are teams at the top that will be formidable opponents, you should never count out Bill Self in a must-win game.
Even though I feel Kansas runs away with this game, we can’t take away from what Kansas State has done the past two games, getting hard-fought wins at home against a red-hot Texas Tech team, and following that with a 1-point win at Texas on Tuesday.
"I'm just thrilled for our guys," coach Bruce Weber said. "It gives us another mark on the resume."
K-State was led by Mark Smith’s 22 points on 9 of 14 shooting, and they’ll need another big game by the senior if the Wildcats want to pull off the upset. Kansas State’s defense is likely good enough to give KU problems as Oklahoma did, but I think Self is going to get his group back on the right track and get an important win. Kansas by 9
Betting trends
Kansas is 8-8 against the spread this season.
Kansas is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 off three straight victories over conference opponents.
Kansas State is 8-8 ATS after winning two of three.
Projected starting lineup
Kansas:
PG: Dajuan Harris Jr.
SG: Ochai Agbaji
SF: Christian Braun
PF: Jalen Wilson
C: Mitchell Lightfoot
SF: Christian Braun
PF: Jalen Wilson
C: Mitchell Lightfoot
Kansas State:
PG: Markquis Nowell
SG: Nijel Pack
SF: Mark Smith
PF: Selton Miguel
C: Davion Bradford
SF: Mark Smith
PF: Selton Miguel
C: Davion Bradford
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Kansas - Kansas State prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily college basketball projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
