Kansas State Wildcats (+8) vs. Kansas Jayhawks
The first meeting in the “Sunflower Showdown” was a thriller on Jan. 17, as Kansas State won 83-82 in overtime to send Manhattan into an absolute frenzy. The rematch comes in Lawrence and the Jayhawks are a sizable favorite in this one after they were laying only 1.5 in the first game. Certainly, Phog Allen Fieldhouse plays a part in this line, but Kansas lost by 23 to TCU at home 10 days ago, so it isn’t like it’s impossible to win there. As good as Kansas’s defense ranks nationally (Top-20 in defensive efficiency) they rank eighth in Big 12 play and draw the second-best offense by efficiency and best by FG% in conference action here. Kansas may very well win, but a victory by nine or more points would be a little surprising based on the bodies of work and the stats from the first meeting. This just feels like a numbers play as we don’t see that big of a difference between these two squads. We will take the +8 points with Kansas State at BetUS and live with the result in this blockbuster matchup.
Prediction: Kansas State Wildcats (+8)
Indiana Hoosiers (+2.5) vs. Maryland Terrapins
Those that have bet against Maryland at home this season have done so at their own peril, as the Terrapins are 11-1 at home and a perfect 5-0 at home in Big Ten play. But, with that being said, the Terrapins have benefitted from the softer spot of their schedule thus far and have only beaten one team ahead of them in the standings on their home court (Illinois). We instead are backing an Indiana team that is arguably playing its best basketball of the season. The Hoosiers have won five straight games and four by 13+ points. Also, Indiana has shown its versatility in that stretch, scoring 80+ points three times but winning grind-out games twice when it did not have its best offensive performance and held Wisconsin and Minnesota to an average of 51 points. Trayce Jackson-Davis has averaged 25.4 points per game during the winning streak while shooting 59.6% from the field. Indiana has won three consecutive games in this rivalry, all by eight or more points, and will look to do so again with its best player playing at a high level. We will gladly take the points at BetOnline and won’t be surprised if the Hoosiers win this one outright on the road.
Prediction: Indiana Hoosiers (+2.5)
