How to watch
Channel: ESPN+ I Fubo TV
Date: Saturday, February 3
Game Time: 1:00 p.m. CT
Radio: K-State Sports Network
Venue: Gallagher-Iba Arena
All-time series
- Kansas State leads the all-time series 87-58 over Oklahoma State
- Kansas State beat Oklahoma State in their first matchup this season 70-66.
- The Wildcats have a three-game win streak over the Cowboys
- Kansas State and Oklahoma State are tied 5-5 in their last 10 matchups
Odds
I don't know that I can say that I am surprised Kansas State is narrowly favored in this matchup. The Wildcats are only a 1.5-point favorite over a team that has only once conference win. However, they are going to Stillwater and K-State has lost three games in a row.
Vegas is losing some confidence in the Wildcats, but I will say I think the Wildcats will win by more than just one point.
Key matchups
I think the key matchups here are going to be the benches. In thier first matchup back in January, the Cowboys bench scored 26 points, thier leading scorer was Eric Daily Jr. off the bench. The Wildcats bench scored only six points.
K-State's bench players have got to step up in games, especially when starters start to get into foul trouble. Cam Carter, Tylor Perry, and Arthur Kaluma are great players and they work well as a trio, but if K-Stat wants to make a run for the tournament, they need more from their bench.
The main players to watch on both teams are Arthur Kaluma and Javon Small. Kaluma scored 23 points in the WIldcats' first matchup with the Cowboys. Head coach Jerome Tang will need the Creighton transfer to step up again to take pressure off of Carter and Perry to be the consistent big scorers. Small is the leading scorer for the Cowboys, but he did not lead them in scoring last game against K-State. He will be one the WIldcats need to game plan for and shut down early.
Prediction
It has been a tough season for Oklahoma State. They lost their first six conference games and are at the bottom of the Big 12 standings. The Cowboys kept the game close in Bramlage early in January by playing tough defense. However, K-State has lost three in a row and I don't think Tang is going to let them lose a fourth.
I am going to take the Wildcats in this matchup, I think they need a game to give them a boost and this is the perfect one. It will still be a tough game for K-State, going and playing in Stillwater, but they will find a way to drown out the noise and come away with the win.