The No. 23 Iowa State Cyclones hit the road for one game as they tip off against the No. 18 Kansas State Wildcats at the Bramlage Coliseum. Iowa State had its four-game winning streak snapped last Saturday when it was topped 92-83 by TCU. Meanwhile, is looking to secure its fifth win in a row, having not fallen since Jan. 26. The Wildcats got the better of the Cyclones 58-57 in mid-January and is a 3-point favorite in tonight’s game with the total Sportsbook at 130 points.
- Kansas State is 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games.
- Kansas State allows the fourth-fewest points per game in the nation this season. (59.5)
- The total has gone OVER in five of Iowa State’s last six games.
Iowa State vs Kansas State Game Center
Wildcats Continue to Suffocate Teams on Defense
For the second time since conference play began in early January, Kansas State finds itself on an extended winning streak as it seeks its fifth consecutive victory. The Wildcats had a five-game winning streak that began on Jan. 9 and lasted until they lost 65-53 at Texas A&M on Jan. 26. Included in that initial win streak was a narrow 58-57 road victory over today’s counterpart Iowa State.
The offense has been a bit of a struggle for Kansas State this year as they are pouring in the 49th-fewest points per game at 65.9. It doesn’t do a lot of damage from beyond the arc chipping in just 6.9 triples per game ranking 237th, but it has been shooting 40.3 percent from downtown in its last three games. Additionally, it ranks 225th with a 48.9 shooting percentage from inside the arc.
The defense has been the path to victory for the Wildcats, though, as they allow the fourth-fewest points per game in the nation at 59.5 which dips slightly to 56.9 at home. Due to their slow pace, they only surrender 50.8 shot attempts against per game which are also the fourth-fewest in college basketball. Even when teams do get a shot at the basket, they are only shooting 41.3 percent which is the 48th-lowest percentage.
Cyclones Hope Strong Shooting Will Prevail
Iowa State is looking to get back in the win column after having its four-game winning streak ended at home in a 92-83 defeat by TCU. Included in the four-game streak was a victory at then-No. 20 Ole Miss 87-73 and the last defeat before TCU was a close 80-76 loss at then-No. 9 Kansas.
There hasn’t been much of an issue in the scoring department for Iowa State this year as it sits 36th in the nation with 79 points per game but that falls to 76.6 ppg in road games. It takes a fair amount of shots from downtown, averaging 23.9 attempts per game ranking 107th and it hits 36 percent of those shots ranking 96th. Strong shooting percentage has been Iowa State’s path to victory as it ranks 18th in overall shooting percentage at 48.1 which falls slightly to 46.9 on the road.
Iowa State has been pretty good defensively as well, giving up 66.8 points per game which are the 55th-fewest but that jumps to 71.7 ppg away from home. The Cyclones play an up-tempo pace on both sides to the ball, surrendering 59.2 shots against per game ranking 238th, but opponents are hitting just 41.5 percent of those attempts which is the 54th-lowest percentage.
Which side of the total should you be on?
Today’s game features a sharp-shooting team vs a defensive-minded team and Sportsbook has the total Sportsbook at 130 points. Iowa State has gone OVER in five of its last six games with only one game going UNDER 130 points and an average combined score of 154.33.
Meanwhile, Kansas State has gone OVER in each of its last four games with no game going UNDER 130 points and an average combined score of 135.25. These teams met at Iowa State in mid-January and played to a combined score of 115, but I think an OVER is in store for today’s game.
My take on Iowa State vs Kansas State
I like Iowa State to cover the three-point spread. Although Kansas State has been on quite a roll recently, this is the best offense it has faced and I think Iowa State can keep it close. The Wildcats do a good job preventing points with their slow pace of play, but opponents are shooting 41.3 percent from the floor and the Cyclones have the 18th-best shooting percentage in the nation at 48.1 percent.
Meanwhile, the Cyclones have been decent defensively, surrendering 66.8 points per game and the Wildcats score the 49th-fewest points per game which drops at home. Additionally, Iowa State restricts its foes to a 41.5 shooting percentage and Kansas State ranks 226th with a 43.1 shooting percentage overall.
