K-State Wildcats vs. WVU Mountaineers: TV, time, odds, game preview, score prediction
The Kansas State men’s basketball team will try to build on a recent victory against BYU when the Wildcats take on the West Virginia Mountaineers on Monday at Bramlage Coliseum.
Here’s everything you need to know before tipoff, plus a score prediction:
When: 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Bramlage Coliseum (Manhattan)
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita
Betting line: K-State by 9.5
Over/Under: 142.5
STARTING LINEUPS
P | No. | West Virginia | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 11 | Quinn Slazinski | 6-9 | Sr. | 12.9 |
F | 7 | Jesse Edwards | 6-11 | Sr. | 14.6 |
G | 2 | Kobe Johnson | 6-3 | Jr. | 6.2 |
G | 3 | Kerr Kriisa | 6-3 | Sr. | 10.8 |
G | 21 | Raequan Battle | 6-5 | Sr. | 16.2 |
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 20 | Jerrell Colbert | 6-10 | So. | 2.5 |
G | 4 | Dai Dai Ames | 6-1 | Fr. | 4.5 |
G | 24 | Arthur Kaluma | 6-7 | Jr. | 15.0 |
G | 5 | Cam Carter | 6-3 | So. | 15.1 |
G | 2 | Tylor Perry | 5-11 | Sr. | 15.1 |
About West Virginia (9-18, 4-10)
The Mountaineers are coming off a 71-64 road loss against Iowa State. They kept that game closer than expected, but they haven’t found much success away from home in Big 12 play. West Virginia are 0-7 on the road in conference games with most of the defeats coming by double digits. This is a team that likes to play with a big lineup that features a pair of tall forwards in Quinn Slazinski and Jesse Edwards. Raequan Battle is the leading scorer at 16.2 points per game.
About Kansas State (16-11, 6-8)
The Wildcats are coming off an 84-74 victory against BYU that restored a glimmer of hope to their NCAA Tournament chances. If they can end the regular season on a winning streak they can get back on the bubble and have much to play for at the Big 12 Tournament. A win over West Virginia will help K-State increase its chances of earning a bye in Kansas City. Arthur Kaluma, Cam Carter and Tylor Perry are all averaging more than 15 points per game. David N’Guessan has been providing an impact off the bench in recent games.
West Virginia at K-State prediction
There is no such thing as an easy game in the Big 12.
But this comes close.
Despite its recent struggles, K-State is considered a big home favorite against West Virginia. For good reason. The Wildcats are coming off a big win over BYU and they are hard to beat at home. The Mountaineers are arguably the worst team in the conference, and they don’t play well away from home.
K-State defeated West Virginia 81-67 in early January behind 23 points from Cam Carter, 17 points from Arthur Kaluma and 17 points from David N’Guessan.
The rematch should follow a similar formula.
K-State has trouble against teams that can create turnovers and defend the rim. That is not West Virginia. The Mountaineers only force turnovers at a rate of 15% and they allow teams to shoot 50.8% from within the arc.
In other words, this is a good matchup for Jerome Tang and his basketball roster.
Expect another convincing win for the Wildcats.
K-State 77, West Virginia 67
Last game prediction: K-State 71, BYU 69 (Actual result: K-State 84, BYU 74)
Season Record: 21-6
Season Record ATS: 13-14
Season Record O/U: 19-8