K-State Wildcats vs. KU Jayhawks: Basketball game time, TV, odds and score prediction
The first round of the 2025 Sunflower Showdown basketball rivalry is upon us.
Kansas State will head to Allen Fieldhouse for a noon game against the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday.
Here’s everything you need to know before tipoff, including a score prediction:
When: 12 p.m. Saturday
Where: Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence
Stream: CBS
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita
Betting line: Kansas by 14.5
Over/under: 141.5
K-State at KU game prediction
The Wildcats haven’t won at Allen Fieldhouse since 2006.
This doesn’t feel like the year for that streak to end.
K-State has lost 13 straight road games dating back to last season. And it enters this edition of the Sunflower Showdown on a four-game losing streak. There are many reasons why the Jayhawks are favored by 14.5 points.
A K-State victory at Kansas under these circumstances would go down as one of the biggest upsets in the modern era of this rivalry.
On paper, Kansas should have myriad advantages. The Jayhawks are the better team on offense and they are the much better team on defense.
KU is holding opponents to 29.5% shooting from 3-point range and 42% shooting from 2-point range. K-State was held to 57 points in each of its past two games. It’s hard to see that number improving against Bill Self’s stingy defense.
Jerome Tang and the Wildcats will catch a break without KJ Adams in the lineup as he recovers from an injury. But he is only averaging 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds this season. KU can probably get by with a next-man-up approach in this game.
K-State can make this a game by playing at a slow pace, guarding hard on defense and knocking down a few 3-pointers. Its only path to victory is if this turns into a rock fight.
That could happen. The Jayhawks have been held under 62 points in three of their past five games. But they erupted for 74 and 99 in the other two. The Wildcats stand no chance if KU gets hot like that on offense.
All things considered, this feels like a get-right game for Kansas. The Jayhawks are coming off a blowout loss against Iowa State and they will have something to prove against their in-state rival.
Kansas 78, K-State 60
Last game prediction: Texas Tech 77, K-State 71
Actual score: Texas Tech 61, K-State 57
Season record: 10-6
Season record ATS: 6-10
Season record O/U: 8-8.