Iowa State vs Kansas State Odds, Picks and Predictions: Wildcats Claw Back

The Iowa State Cyclones and the Kansas State Wildcats square off in a key Big 12 showdown at the Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan. on Saturday afternoon. 

Iowa State slapped the brakes on a mini skid with an impressive 70-59 thumping of fellow ranked foe TCU last time out.

Kansas State is looking to halt a bit of a nosedive, as it enters with back-to-back losses, and setbacks in four of its previous five outings.

These teams met in Ames, Iowa on January 24, with the Cyclones posting an 80-76 victory. The Wildcats did snag the cover as 5.5-point underdogs at most shops.

Will the Cyclones be able to secure the regular-season sweep, or will the Wildcats avenge last month’s loss while grabbing a much-needed victory? We’ll discuss in our college basketball picks and predictions for Iowa State vs. Kansas State on Saturday, February 18.

Iowa State vs Kansas State best odds

Iowa State vs Kansas State picks and predictions

Both teams played pretty well in the first matchup in Ames last month. In fact, both teams shot over 52%, which is quite impressive.

Iowa State hit 57% of its shots from the field (28-of-49) including 31% (5-of-16) from downtown. It was also solid at the free-throw line, connecting at a 76% clip (19-of-25).

The rebounding numbers in the first meeting weren’t terribly impressive for either side, but the Cyclones held a commanding 23-to-16 advantage in that department, including seven offensive boards. Iowa State also turned it over just 11 times, compared to 14 for Kansas State, while blocking five shots. K-State didn’t have any swats in the game.

The Wildcats shot a solid 52% (25-of-48) for the game, and hung around despite the rebounding disparity and lack of blocked shots because of a solid perimeter game. K-State hit 56% (9-of-16) from downtown, while nearly matching the Cyclones at the charity stripe.

Kansas State was led by Markquis Nowell, while Jaren Holmes starred for Iowa State. Both had game highs with 23 points. K-State’s Keyontae Johnson had the game’s only double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, or 10 of the 16 boards the Wildcats pulled down. He needs to stay out of foul trouble to give the home side a chance.

I think Kansas State is a lot more balanced, and I think it is much better on the boards than the previous matchup. The Wildcats have three scorers averaging double-digits, and two of those guys go for 5.9 or more rebounds per game. K-State will avenge January’s loss in a big way.

My best bet: Kansas State -2.5 (-120 at FanDuel)

Iowa State vs Kansas State spread analysis

The Cyclones head into this game with just two victories in their past six games overall, as the Big 12 just continues to cannibalize itself. In the end, it is likely to work out for the conference in the NCAA Tournament, as these teams have been playing difficult games every night since January.

This one will be no exception, as these two ranked teams will be hungry and desperate for another signature win.

The public has sided strongly with Kansas State, and rightly so. The Wildcats opened as a 1.5-point favorite, and the spread has risen to as high as 3.5 points at some shops. 

The Cyclones have failed to cover each of their previous four games on the road, while cashing in just two of the previous eight outings against teams with an overall winning record. I-State is just 2-6 ATS in its past eight games overall, too, including the first meeting with the Wildcats.

While K-State is just 1-4 ATS in its past five games overall, it is an impressive 11-3 ATS in the past 14 games against winning teams, and 6-1 ATS in its past seven games as hosts at Bramlage Coliseum.

Iowa State vs Kansas State Over/Under analysis

The Cyclones are not a good 3-point shooting team, hitting at just a 34.8% clip, and Iowa State is one of the worst free-throw shooting teams in the nation at 66.8%. Iowa State tends to leave a lot of points on the floor, which is maddening to those backing the Over.

Defensively, Iowa State is an outstanding club, limiting the opposition to 61.6 ppg. They’re defensively balanced and solid against shots from the perimeter, as well as inside the paint.

The Under is 20-9 in the past 29 games overall for Iowa State. Perhaps more importantly, it is 10-4 in its past 14 games on the road.

The Wildcats cashed the Over last time out at Oklahoma, snapping a 3-0 Under run. K-State has been so-so on offense, and it isn’t a team to hurt Under bettors with the three, hitting just 34.2% from the perimeter, among the bottom two-thirds in the nation.

Defensively, K-State isn’t as great as Iowa State, but it isn’t bad, either. It allows 68.6 ppg, and it is especially hard against the three, ranking No. 15 in the nation at just 29.4% on defensive 3-point percentage.

Look for this game to be a defensive slog with few 3-pointers, and Kansas State pulling out the cover late.

Iowa State vs Kansas State betting trend to know

The Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Iowa State vs. Kansas State.

Iowa State vs Kansas State game info

Iowa State vs Kansas State key injuries

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