March Madness: Kentucky Wildcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats Prediction

2 weeks ago

68 3 minutes read

It seemed as though Kentucky Wildcats fans had enough of coach John Calipari early in the season, but the team rallied and won five of its last seven games, entering with decent current odds to win March Madness.

There is no denying the talent of college basketball players on the Wildcats, but they are the lower-seeded team when they meet the Kansas State Wildcats in one of the early NCAA basketball games today.

Jerome Tang, in his first year as Wildcats coach, had Kansas State third in the Big 12 college basketball standings. Since January 24, Kansas State (23-8) has gone 7-7 and has lost its magic entering the NCAA March Madness bracket.

But the Wildcats and Wildcats each advanced to the second round. Here is the analysis of each team, injury updates, odds, and a Kentucky vs Kansas State prediction.

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats Odds

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats Information

Kentucky Wildcats vs Kansas State Wildcats

Location: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC.

Date and Time: Sunday, March 19, 2023, 2:40 PM ET.

How to Watch: TBS | https://livestreamsports.co/

Updates for Kentucky Wildcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats

The only impactful listing on the college basketball injury report other than players who have been out since November is Kentucky’s Sahvir Wheeler. The point guard is out indefinitely with an ankle injury.

That is a potentially big loss as he averaged 28.5 minutes per game and was the floor general with 7.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game while converting 36.6% of 3-point shots. His health would play a greater factor in our Kentucky vs Kansas State prediction if he’s in.

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview

Despite being the lower seed, the NCAAB odds show Kentucky is favored by 1.5 points with an over/under of -146. The odds on either side of those totals is -110. There is no moneyline listed for either team as of this writing. Kentucky’s implied team total is 74 points, while Kansas State’s is 72.5, and each have -115 odds on either side.

This will be the fourth time the teams have met on the NCAAB schedule in March Madness. Kansas State won 61-58 in a spread upset on March 22, 2018.

Kentucky won 56-49 on March 21, 2014, and covered. The teams pushed when Kentucky won 74-72 in 2008. That is somewhat helpful for those betting on March Madness, though so much has changed from those teams.

Kentucky and Kansas State’s Performance

Kentucky (21-10) is 106th in scoring 75.1 points per game, 96th in making 46.0% of field goal attempts, and 89th in making 35.9% of 3-point shots. It is 219th in making 70.8% of its free throws and 13th in rebounding 36.1 times per game. Defensively the Wildcats hold teams to 67.6 points per game (107th), 42.7% on field goal attempts, and 32.8% on 3-point shots – each 115th – and limit teams to 27.0 rebounds per game, which is 12th.

Kansas State scored 75.8 points per game, which is 83rd, and made 45.4% of field goal attempts (142nd), 34.5% of 3-point shots (169th), and 74.9% of free throw attempts (58th). Defensively the Wildcats are 137th in allowing 68.7 points per game, 76th in holding teams to 42.0% on field goal attempts, and 13th in limiting teams to 29.5% on 3-point shots.

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Prediction

Each of these NCAA basketball teams have solid guard play and good forwards, so it should be an entertaining game to watch. Those making college basketball picks today favor Kentucky, with 61% of bets made available on them to cover and another 63% on the under.

Oscar Tshiebwe is dominant in the post and will have a big advantage. Kansas State will have to limit turnovers and hit perimeter shots to have a chance.

Here is our Kentucky vs Kansas State prediction.