Kansas State Wildcats Favored to Win Big 12 Basketball Game Against West Virginia Mountaineers

Game outlook

The article discusses an upcoming Big 12 basketball game between the Kansas State Wildcats and the West Virginia Mountaineers. The Wildcats are currently 11-3 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12, while the Mountaineers have a record of 5-9 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12. In their last games, Kansas State convincingly defeated UCF at home, while West Virginia suffered a significant loss to Houston on the road. The teams split their matchups last season, with the home team winning each game. The game will take place at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown and will be televised on the Big 12 Network. As for the betting odds, Kansas State is favored to win with an opening line of -1.5, which has not changed.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Wildcats -120 | Mountaineers +100

Spread: Wildcats -1.5 (-110) | Mountaineers +1.5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 140.5 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Kansas St. will win straight-up is 55%.

Kansas St. Wildcats

The Kansas State Wildcats convincingly defeated the UCF Knights in their first-ever Big 12 game, securing a comfortable 25-point victory. Despite UCF's hopes as only 5-point underdogs, Kansas State's experience in the Big 12 allowed them to dominate the game. Led by guard Tylor Perry's outstanding performance with 25 points and five assists, the Wildcats limited UCF to just 19 points in the first half. Kansas State boasts three high-scoring players averaging over 15 points per game. The team's leading scorer, 6'3" junior guard Cam Carter, impresses with 16.2 points per game and also contributes 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. Perry, a 5'11" senior, follows closely with 15.7 points per game, excelling as the team's top shooter with 41 made threes. Additionally, 6'7" senior Arthur Kaluma adds 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. However, the team's scoring significantly drops after these top three players, with Will McNair Jr. averaging just 7.8 points per game as a senior center. Currently, Kansas State ranks 60th overall in KenPom's rankings, demonstrating their defensive strength at 33rd in the nation for efficiency but showcasing a weaker offense at 108th in efficiency. Offensively, the Wildcats shoot 42.91% from the field, 72.51% from the free-throw line, and 30.03% from three-point range. They also average 40.92 rebounds, 15.08 offensive assists, and 14.54 turnovers per game. On the defensive end, Kansas State allows opponents to shoot 40.80% from the field, 72.59% from the free-throw line, and 33.77% from beyond the arc. They average 34.77 defensive rebounds, 11.92 defensive assists, and 13.08 turnovers per game. Overall, the Kansas State Wildcats display a strong defensive presence but have room for improvement on the offensive end.