Villanova vs Kansas State Odds, Picks and Predictions: May the Better Wildcats Win

The Villanova Wildcats will look to recover from a surprising two-game losing streak when they visit the Kansas State Wildcats on Tuesday night as part of the Big 12/Big East Battle. 

Kansas State has won three straight, though that includes surprisingly difficult overtime wins against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and the North Alabama Lions. Villanova had won four straight before dropping games against local Philadelphia foes in the Saint Joseph’s Hawks and the Drexel Dragons. 

Each Wildcats squad will see tonight’s matchup as a winnable game, with both teams being the favorite in the college basketball odds at various times. We’ll break down which side has the edge in our free college basketball picks and predictions for Villanova vs. Kansas State on December 5.  

Villanova vs Kansas State best odds

Villanova vs Kansas State picks and predictions

Let’s be clear: The Villanova Wildcats and Kansas State Wildcats are both teams that will, at a minimum, be fighting for NCAA Tournament bids. However, neither can be happy with how their last couple of games have gone.

Villanova is a better team than Saint Joseph’s or Drexel, making those disappointing losses — not to mention giving them a last-place finish in the annual Big 5 Classic. While head coach Kyle Neptune seems to be taking the losses in stride, it’s an unusual slump for a team that beat the North Carolina Tar Heels and Memphis Tigers in the Battle 4 Atlantis the previous week. 

Kansas State doesn’t have Villanova's exciting highs or the stunning lows, with its only losses coming to the USC Trojans and the Miami Hurricanes on neutral courts. However, three of its wins have come in overtime, including the stunningly close games against Oral Roberts and North Alabama. 

It’s important not to get too caught up on the unusual short-term results we’ve seen from these teams, and instead look at their full resumes. When we do, we see two squads that are evenly matched heading into tonight’s game.

Villanova may be the more talented of the two. Senior forward Eric Dixon provides a post presence that keeps Nova in games against bigger teams, such as when he scored 34 points against North Carolina. He’s paired with senior guard Justin Moore (14.4 ppg), providing a level of quality experience that only a few other teams in the country can match.

That said, it’s Kansas State that has the edge in the backcourt. Senior Tylor Perry (17.3 ppg) and junior Cam Carter (16.5 ppg) provide stability and are joined by forward Arthur Kaluma (15.1 ppg) to form an experienced core that accounts for nearly 60% of Kansas State’s scoring. That experience may be responsible for its recent overtime wins, with Perry hitting a late three to save the game against North Alabama on Saturday.

If nothing else, Kansas State is finding ways to win while Villanova has been struggling against far weaker opponents. Kansas State has also been difficult to play at home, going 5-0 at Bramlage Coliseum on the season. 

Kansas State opened tonight’s game as a slight favorite before bettors pushed Villanova into that role. While I can understand the public seeing Villanova as the better team, these two teams are closely matched. With Kansas State holding home-court advantage and seemingly in better form, I’m picking it to win this one outright.

My best bet: Kansas State moneyline (+128 at BetRivers)

Villanova vs Kansas State same-game parlay

Kansas State moneyline

Cam Carter Over 14.5 points

Cam Carter Over 1.5 made threes

33% boost available

+282 +375 at DraftKings

I’m picking Kansas State to win this game outright, due to both its home-court advantage and strong backcourt. That provides a great opportunity for a same-game parlay, as I think we can get solid value out of Carter’s performance.

Carter has been struggling with his shooting touch over the past few games, but overall, he’s a solid shooter and scorer. His scoring prop tonight has him at just 14.5 points, which I feel is too low. Despite his recent struggles, he’s still scored at least 15 points in five of his eight games, with another 14-point performance in the mix. I’m taking the Over.

Carter has also attempted at least six three-pointers in seven of his eight games this season. He has hit just 21.9% of his shots from beyond the arc in his last five games, but we can’t expect that to keep up for a career 32% shooter from deep. I’m taking the Over on his 3-pointers prop tonight to round out this SGP.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Villanova vs Kansas State spread and Over/Under analysis

Kansas State initially opened as a one-point favorite. However, that line has flipped, with Villanova -2.5 now the most common line on the market. By shopping around, you can find a line of anywhere from two to three points with similar odds on both sides.

So far this season, Villanova has put up a 5-4 record against the spread. Kansas State hasn’t been as successful, putting up a 3-5 ATS mark.

My best bet for this game is Kansas State on the moneyline, and I’m leaning toward backing it on the spread as well. However, I don’t like this bet nearly as much, if only because the two or three points I can get don’t add much value when compared to some generous moneyline numbers out there on the market. Even in what could be a close game, I like taking Kansas State outright.

The total for tonight’s game opened at 141 points. That number has come up throughout the day, with the consensus Over/Under now sitting at 143.5. Most books are offering -110 on both sides of the market, though some are doing so at an alternate total of 144 points.

Both teams have trended towards higher-scoring games early in the season. The Over has a dominant 6-2 record in Kansas State’s games so far, while also going 5-4 when Villanova plays this year.

Villanova plays at a deliberate pace, only really being sped up a bit by North Carolina this year. That said, Kansas State has played every single game this year at a total of 143 or higher, against a variety of teams and styles. That’s enough for me to lean towards the Over here.

Villanova vs Kansas State betting trend to know

Kansas State is 5-0 straight up at home this season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Villanova vs. Kansas State.

Villanova vs Kansas State game info

Villanova vs Kansas State key injuries

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