Kansas State Wildcats vs Texas Longhorns
Where: Frank Erwin Center, Austin Texas
When: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 9:00pm Eastern
We have the Big-12 Conference (B-12) before us when the Kansas State Wildcats visit Austin for a matchup with the Texas Longhorns. The Wildcats have a 1.5 game lead over Texas Tech and Iowa State for the top spot in the B-12, and Texas is only 2.5 games behind Kansas State for the lead in the B-12. This is an enormous game and I’m looking forward to telling you all about it.
Wildcats Looking to Avenge Early Season Loss to Texas
If the regular season were to end today, Kansas State would likely be a fifth seed in the NCAA Tournament. Having a regular season record of 18 wins and five losses looks good to the selection committee. So, does winning the conference that you play in, and with a record of eight wins and two losses, the Wildcats are sitting at the top of the B-12. With eight games remaining on their schedule, the Wildcats have plenty of time to improve upon their seeding, but wins matter most, and Kansas State has their destiny in their own hands.
⭐ 20 Points – Kamau Stokes
⭐ 29-15 scoring run to finish game
⭐ 8-game @Big12Conference win streak #KStateMBB Game Highlights at Baylor ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Rb13rfMHko— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) February 10, 2019
Kansas State isn’t listing any injuries for their Tuesday game with Texas.
The Wildcats suffered a 20-point home loss to Texas in their last meeting. The Wildcats were without two of their top three scorers in that game, so there is the revenge factor. Kansas State has a road record of four wins and four losses and are enjoying a three-game winning streak.
Barry Brown Jr leads the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 15.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Brown is draining 1.3 three pointers per game and has exceeded his scoring average in three of his last five games.
Kansas State scores an average of 65.7 points per game, grabs 8.4 offensive rebounds, 24.9 defensive rebounds and 14 assists per game this season.
Texas Looking to Win the Big 12 Conference
Texas has had a solid season, and their record of 14 wins and 10 losses would likely earn the Longhorns a seventh seed in the NCAA Tournament. KenPom claims Texas has played the eleventh toughest schedule in the country, and that is why the Longhorns would get the invitation if the season ended today. Texas also has a B-12 record of six wins and five losses, leaving the Longhorns 2.5 games away from their Tuesday night opponent for the top spot in the B-12. Texas could use a few more conference wins to bolster their Tournament seeding, and nothing would look better to a selection committee than defeating the Wildcats on Tuesday night.
Week 14 of #Big12MBB:
🔵 Lawson: averaged 21.5 pts and 8.0 rebounds.
🤘 Ramey: tied his career highs in scoring, FG made, and 3-point FG made.
😈 Bane: averaged 21.5 pts in leading TCU to a 2-0 week, including a win at No. 17 Iowa State.More » https://t.co/2KPxzwJErd. pic.twitter.com/gkmMmc2VV6
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 11, 2019
Texas isn’t listing any injuries for their Tuesday night showdown with Kansas State.
The Longhorns won their last meeting, have a home record of ten wins and four losses, and are on a two-game winning streak.
Senior guard Kerwin Roach II leads the Longhorns in scoring, averaging 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and two triples per game. Roach has met or exceeded his scoring average in each of his last five games.
The Longhorns score an average of 72.1 points, pull down 9.5 offensive rebounds, 25.7 defensive rebounds and 13.2 assists per game this season.
Notable Trends
- Longhorns are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games.
- Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
The Bottom Line What to bet on this game.
Full-Game Side Bet
I’m going with the underdog Kansas State Wildcats. The Wildcats have their full roster this time around and I have to think they will have revenge on their minds. Brown and Roach should have fun scoring against one another and I think the Wildcats not only cover the 2.5 but win the game on Tuesday night.
Prediction: Kansas State +2.5 Points
Full-Game Total Pick
Defense is the name of this game, but 125 points is too low. Roach has been really good over his last five games, as has Brown. When I added everything together, I ended up with 132 points, so I will be rolling with the over on Tuesday night.
Prediction: Over 125 Points
