Location: Manhattan, KS. Bramlage Coliseum
Date and Time: February, 5th. 9 PM EST. ESPN
All-Time Series: Kansas leads 196-93.
Background Information:
The race for the Big 12 is heating up halfway through conference play with 5 teams having a chance to claim the top spot by the end of this week. Maybe the biggest matchup lies in Manhattan, Kansas as the surging Kansas State Wildcats will face off against Kansas in the Sunflower Showdown on Tuesday night.
For Kansas State, that seem to be back on track after a rather embarrassing loss to one of the worst teams in the SEC in Texas A&M. They would bounce back with a 18 point road win against Oklahoma State. OSU isn’t great, but a dominating road win in the Big 12 is always impressive. Ever since Dean Wade has returned from injury, he has help lift Kansas State after a underwhelming start to conference. They beat George Mason by 1, lost to Texas by 20 at home, and lost to Texas Tech. But since, have turned a corner and had good wins over Iowa State, Oklahoma, TCU, and Texas Tech.
Wade has been rejuvenated the offense, while Barry Brown has been very good in his absence. Wade’s been averaging 18 PPG over the past 5 games and gotten 4 or more rebounds in 3 of those contests. Wade’s previous performance came with a perfect 9/9 from the field and 3/3 from 3 point range. Brown’s 47/37/64 with 18 PPG in conference play has also kept K-State afloat and their stout defense has been sensational. K-State is 4th in the nation in points given up and 8th in defensive rating. K-State has the spotlight shining on them Tomorrow night. We’ll see if they shine or cower down.
For Kansas, it seems like they’ve been in this situation quite a few times throughout their 14 year run of conference titles. But what makes this year different is the Kansas team that leaves Lawrence. KU is only 1-5 in road games on the season and doesn’t do anything on offense or defense at a very high level. Dedric Lawson has been the POTY for the Big 12, and Lagerald Vick has been the usual great Point Guard under Bill Self. Frank Mason, Devonte Graham, and no Vick, which all 3 seem to have this Quarterback or Field General type feel. Vick has averaged 14.5 PPG on the season.
Kansas took out Texas Tech at home to end a 2 game losing skid to Kentucky and Kansas, on Saturday. Their lone win on the season was to Baylor early in conference play and losses are to Texas, West Virginia, and #18 Arizona State. And they still have some tough road games ahead of them in #16 Texas Tech and Oklahoma (who is almost never an easy task at home. They finish off their season against Baylor, who has played Kansas close the previous 4 meetings. (2017: KU by 5, KU by 2, 2018: KU by 3, BU by 16). Kansas has been through this and has prevailed many times. But with the road woes, it will be interesting to see how/if they can overcome the odds and make it 15 straight.
Keys to a Victory for Kansas State:
Amping up the pressure at home: Kansas struggles with keeping the ball as they rank near 150th in Turnovers Per Game with 13 a contest. K-State ranks 4th in the nation in total defense. The K-State crowd will have a huge impact on the outcome of this game and forcing turnovers might be the huge difference maker. Kansas is also an average 36% from 3 point range, so forcing turnovers and creating bad shot opportunities is key for the Wildcats.
Keys to a Victory for Kansas:
Kansas State is very good on defense, but has been mortal on offense. Even with the return of Wade and the rise of Brown, Kansas State still ranks in the very bottom quadrant in offense at 329th in the nation. They are just putting up 65 points a contest on average. Even with K-State’s impressive run, they’ve had to do it through defense as they haven’t put up more than 75 points in all of conference play up to this point. Taking the crowd out and keeping K-State off balanced and protecting the lane will be the keys to victory for the Jayhawks.
Final Verdict:
The scoring in this game should be relatively low. And with the entire nation on watch, Kansas State gets one of the biggest wins in years and the first time topping the Jayhawks since 2015. Wade and Brown combine for 41 as K-State fends off a great shooting night from Dedric Lawson. Kansas State 68, Kansas 64.
Image Credit: Dean Wade’s Twitter Profile Picture.
