Kansas State 11-11 (5-6)
K-State has played as well as anyone lately, winning four straight Big 12 games. The Wildcats are shooting the three ball well, but more impressively, the Wildcats’ defense has held opponents well under their average. The effort on the defensive end will be vital for the ‘Cats to continue their hot streak.
Senior guard Max Jones is a consistent scorer for K-State and picked up his play even more in Big 12 play. Jones is a 41% 3-point shooter this season, becoming a constant threat from the outside for the Wildcats with sharpshooter Brendan Hausen. On Tuesday against Arizona State, Jones had 15 points and knocked down three 3-pointers.
Senior forward Coleman Hawkins was one of the best players in the Big 12 over the last few weeks of play. Last time against Kansas, Hawkins had 15 points and 10 assists, and seemingly made the right play every time. A similar outing is needed for K-State to take down the Jayhawks.
No. 16 Kansas 16-6 (7-4)
KU, coming off a big win over Iowa State on Monday, took down K-State earlier this season after a quick 14-0 start. The Jayhawks have lost two straight to the ‘Cats in Bramlage and need a victory to keep pace in the Big 12 race.
The Jayhawks are led by center Hunter Dickinson, who averages 16 points and nine rebounds a game. In the last matchup, Dickinson had 25 points being a force inside. However, K-State is a different defensive team than they were last time and should make things more difficult.
Next to Dickinson is Zeke Mayo, who averages 15 points per game. Mayo is most dangerous from three but is a threat finishing around the rim as well. Like Dickinson, Mayo had a big game against K-State last time so the ‘Cats will try to make someone else beat them.
Who to Watch:
K-State: G Max Jones, F Coleman Hawkins
Kansas: C Hunter Dickinson, G Zeke Mayo
Feb. 8 @ 1:00 p.m. on ESPN
Prediction: K-State 75-72
Stats: K-State
3-point percent: 35.2%
Opp. pts per/game: 70
Turnovers per/game: 12.4
Stats: Kansas
3-point percent: 34.5%
Opp. pts per/game: 66
Turnovers per/game: 11.2
