KU at K-State preview: Keys to Sunflower Showdown, lineups, TV info, predictions
Kansas at Kansas State
When: 8 p.m. Monday
Where: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan
TV: ESPN
Radio: 1480-AM; 102.5-FM; 107.9-FM; 1240-AM; 97.5-FM
Projected lineups
P | No. | Kansas | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
C | 35 | Udoka Azubuike | 7-0 | So. | 13.9 |
G | 2 | Lagerald Vick | 6-5 | Jr. | 13.4 |
G | 10 | Svi Mykhaliuk | 6-8 | Sr. | 16.8 |
G | 14 | Malik Newman | 6-3 | So. | 11.9 |
G | 4 | Devonte Graham | 6-2 | Sr. | 17.3 |
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 14 | Makol Mawien | 6-9 | So. | 6.4 |
F | 32 | Dean Wade | 6-10 | Jr. | 16.2 |
G | 20 | Xavier Sneed | 6-5 | So. | 11.0 |
G | 5 | Barry Brown | 6-3 | Jr. | 17.3 |
G | 2 | Cartier Diarra | 6-4 | Fr. | 6.9 |
The Lowdown: K-State is the hottest team in the Big 12. The Wildcats have won four consecutive games, and five of their last six, to surge into a tie for second-place in the conference standings. Kansas is the perennial favorite. At 6-2 in league play, the Jayhawks are in position to win their 14th straight league championship. This Sunflower Showdown feels more meaningful than most. K-State can move into a tie for first with a win. KU can create separation with a victory.
K-State player to watch: Dean Wade. No Wildcat likes scoring on the Jayhawks more than Wade. The junior forward has scored at least 20 points in three straight meetings with KU, and he has been one of the Big 12’s best scorers this season. Look for Bruce Weber to try and create mismatches for Wade against smaller KU defenders.
KU player to watch: Svi Mykhaliuk. The KU guard hit a pair of three-pointers late in the first half that made a huge impact for the Jayhawks when they won at Allen Fieldhouse earlier this month. He has evolved into one of the top shooters in the country, and K-State will need to keep tabs on him on Monday.
Kellis Robinett’s Prediction
Kansas State 74, Kansas 71. The Wildcats haven’t lost since falling by one point to the Jayhawks in Lawrence earlier this month. Winning on Monday won’t be easy, as K-State’s starters logged huge minutes against Georgia on Saturday. Still, expect the hot streak to continue in front of a frenzied crowd.
Jesse Newell’s Prediction
Kansas 70, Kansas State 66. Expect a lower-scoring rematch, as both defensive-minded coaches are likely to correct their mistakes from the previous matchup. In the end, though, it's tough to pick against Bill Self and these Jayhawks, who have more often than not been at their best in the final minutes of close games.
Kellis Robinett: @kellisrobinett
This story was originally published January 28, 2018 at 5:18 PM with the headline "KU at K-State preview: Keys to Sunflower Showdown, lineups, TV info, predictions."