Kansas State basketball: How to watch, odds, key matchups, more against No. 14 Kansas

How to watch

Channel: ESPN I FuboTV
Date: Tuesday, March 5
Game time: 8:00 p.m. CT
Radio: K-State Sports Network
Venue: Allen Fieldhouse

All-time series

• Kansas leads the all-time series 96-203 over Kansas State
• Kansas State has not won in Allen Fieldhouse since 2006
• Kansas State took the first matchup earlier this season 75-70 in overtime
• The Wildcats are trying to sweep the Jayhawks for the first time in 1989

Odds

It is no surprise that the Jayhawks are favored heavily in this one. Even though Kansas has lost two in a row, the odd-makers believe that they won't drop a third and second one at home. The Jayhawks are a 10.5-point favorite over the Wildcats with an over/under set at 142.5. I would say based on the last few games between these teams, taking the over is the smart choice as the combined points as been over 142 in the last five matchups.

Key matchups

This will be a tough matchup for the Wildcats as they must find a way to stop Hunter Dickinson. Dickinson could have hurt the Wildcats a lot more in the first matchup if he hadn't gotten into foul trouble. If Dickinson can stay out of foul trouble, he could hurt the Wildcats a lot more scoring more than 21 points.

Will McNair Jr., David N'Guessan, and Jerrel Colbert will be tasked with stopping Dickinson as the big guys on the team. They don't have to light up the scoreboard, but if they can keep Dickinson at bay allowing him at most 15 points, they could keep this game closer and force someone else to make plays.

Now the Jayhawks are good and have others that can step up and make plays like freshman Johnny Furphy, so Kansas State will have to cover a lot of the floor. If Kansas State can keep their turnovers to a minimum and find quality shots, they could find themselves in this game late with a chance to win.

Prediction

I feel like every time I pick against the Wildcats, that is when they win. They then here is to hoping for a win because I am going to pick the Jayhawks, but not because of that. I don't think Bill Self will allow his team to drop a third straight game and lose back-to-back home games.

Kansas knows how to handle Kansas State at home and it will be a very hostile environment for the Wildcats. It's going to be a tough game and Kansas State knows what they need to do to win, but will it be enough, I don't know. Kansas has struggled lately, but unfortunately for the Wildcats, this might be the game where they right the ship.