Kansas State Wildcats vs. Oklahoma Sooners: Lineups, TV, game time, score prediction
The details
When/where: 3 p.m. Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.
TV/radio: ESPN+ (online streaming service, subscription required); KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita, KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City.
About Oklahoma (16-14, 6-11 Big 12): The Sooners have bounced back from a four-game losing streak by winning consecutive games against Oklahoma State and West Virginia. That keeps them on the NCAA Tournament bubble for now. Another victory over K-State would put them within reach of an at-large berth at the Big 12 Tournament. Oklahoma is not at full strenght, though. Porter Moser’s team is missing Elijah Harkless. The Sooners defeated the Wildcats 71-69 when they met at the beginning of Big 12 play.
About Kansas State (14-15, 6-11 Big 12): The Wildcats have lost four straight games to fall off the NCAA Tournament bubble. They are now hoping to win enough games to earn an invitation to the NIT or possibly hoist a trophy at the Big 12 Tournament next week. They will also not be at full strength for this game, as point guard Markquis Nowell is not expected to play. Mark Smith had a sensational game against Oklahoma earlier this sason, finishing with 25 points, 16 rebounds and five assists. Bruce Weber said on Friday that playing at a fast pace and going with a small lineup could help the Wildcats in this matchup. So expect to see more or Ismael Massoud inside than Davion Bradford or Kaosi Ezeagu.
Projected lineups
P | No. | Oklahoma | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 35 | Tanner Groves | 6-10 | Sr. | 12.3 |
F | 1 | Jalen Hill | 6-6 | Jr. | 9.0 |
F | 34 | Jacob Groves | 6-9 | Jr. | 4.4 |
G | 2 | Umoja Gibson | 6-1 | Sr. | 11.8 |
G | 0 | Jordan Goldwire | 6-3 | Sr. | 10.4 |
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 25 | Ismael Massoud | 6-9 | So. | 6.4 |
G | 00 | Mike McGuirl | 6-9 | Sr. | 7.4 |
G | 13 | Mark Smith | 6-4 | Sr. | 12.2 |
G | 24 | Nijel Pack | 6-0 | So. | 17.7 |
G | 3 | Selton Miguel | 6-3 | So. | 7.5 |
Prediction
The law of averages suggests that Kansas State should win this game.
During their recent four-game losing streak, the Wildcats have suffered more than their fair share of bad luck.
Oklahoma State, which is one of the worst shooting teams in the Big 12, drained three-pointers throughout overtime to beat K-State. Then Caleb Grill drained a career-high six three-pointers to lead Iowa State to a 74-73 victory over K-State. After that, the Wildcats complained about questionable calls in the final minute of a 73-68 loss at Texas Tech.
Surely it’s time for the ball to bounce in K-State’s favor, right?
The Wildcats will miss Markquis Nowell, who is unlikely to play because of a hamstring injury, but the Sooners won’t have Elijah Harkless. That should even things out in the back court.
Oklahoma will have an advantage in the front court with Tanner Groves leading the way inside, but Oklahoma lacks the long, athletic players that tend to give the Wildcats fits. The Sooners only grab an offensive rebound on 25% of their possessions. It’s hard to see them dominating the glass against K-State’s small lineup.
This seems like a good opportunity for K-State to win a close game for once.
K-State 72, Oklahoma 68.