Kansas State 19-2 (7-1)

Kansas State women’s basketball is coming off its game against Iowa State, which was not complete at the time of writing. Before the matchup with the Cyclones, K-State stumbled offensively at Colorado, suffering its first Big 12 loss. K-State’s star scorers will have to lead the team back on track without Ayoka Lee.

Senior guard Serena Sundell has continued her career-long consistent play, and taken leaps even further. Sundell, the nation’s leader in total assists and assists per game, will look to control the pace of play. 

Senior forward Temira Poindexter got off to a sharp-shooting start in Big 12 play, recording 45% from three-point land in those games. With Lee still injured, Poindexter may be asked to create and score even more. 

Kansas 13-6 (3-6)

Kansas is off to a slow start in Big 12 play this season but has a chance for a big upset win over its rival. The Jayhawks have plenty of talent and can beat anyone on any given night, which gives them a chance to stay in the race to play in March.

The Jayhawks are led by sophomore guard S’Mya Nichols, who averages 20.3 points per game in Big 12 play. Nichols was an All-Big 12 first-team performer last year as a freshman and took another step forward this year. The All-American candidate will be at the top of the Wildcats’ scouting report.

Next to Nichols is guard Elle Evans for KU, who averages 15 points per game in conference play. At Colorado, Evans scored 28 points and hit seven triples in the contest. Evans is a 6-foot-3 guard, which will help the Jayhawks match up against K-State’s length. 

Who to Watch: 

K-State: G Serena Sundell, F Temira Poindexter

Kansas: G S’Mya Nichols, G Elle Evans

Feb. 2 @ 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+

Prediction: K-State 68-60

Stats: K-State

3-point percent: 39% (First in Big 12)

Opp 3-point percent: 22% (First in Big 12)

Turnovers: 111

Stats: Kansas 

3-point percent: 32% (Ninth in Big 12)

Opp 3-point percent: 37% (13th in Big 12)

Turnovers: 110