Many eyes in the college basketball world will be on KeyArena Saturday as host Gonzaga looks to handle the Kansas State Wildcats in NCAA hoops action.

The Bulldogs bring a 9-1 record (5-4 ATS) to this tilt against the 7-1 Wildcats, who are 2-3 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have witnessed Gonzaga go 4-3 so far and the Wildcats go 0-3.



View Kansas State vs Gonzaga Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 8.5-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total was set to open a bit later (check out Sportsbook for the latest situation(.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Bulldogs, most recently No. 21 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Wildcats, who rate No. 80 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 89-86 victory for the Bulldogs.



How They Match Up:
Rebounding is always a key handicapping consideration and Wildcats is ranked No. 6 in NCAA hoops at 44.6 per game. Contrast that with Gonzaga’s No. 34 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Gonzaga is the No. 123-ranked team in the country at 6.7 per game, while Kansas State rates No. 186 at 6 per game.

Defensively, Kansas State features the nation's No. 120-rated defense on the road, allowing 66.5 points per game. Gonzaga, meanwhile, comes in at No. 31 nationally in scoring at home.

Kansas State won its last outing, a 65-62 result against George Washington on December 8. They failed to cover in that game as a 7.5-point favorite. Angel Rodriguez scored 17 points leading the Wildcats to a 65-62 victory over George Washington at Charles E. Smith Center on Saturday.

Last time out for Gonzaga, they were an 85-74 loser as they battled Illinois at home. They failed to cover in the match as a 11.5-point favorite. Gonzaga suffered an 85-74 loss against Illinois on Saturday, getting 16 points from Kelly Olynyk in a losing effort at McCarthey Athletic Center.


Kansas State Wildcats Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Texas Southern are 0-1
After playing George Washington are 1-0
After a win are 6-4

Gonzaga Bulldogs Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
After playing Illinois are 3-2
After a loss are 7-3

A few Wildcats at Bulldogs trends to consider:
Kansas State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Gonzaga is 23-1 SU in its last 24 games at home
Gonzaga is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games


Next up:
Kansas State home to Texas Southern, Tuesday, December 18
Gonzaga home to Campbell, Wednesday, December 19