The #25 ranked BYU Cougars (19-7, 7-6 Big 12) head to Manhattan to face the Kansas State Wildcats (15-11, 5-8 Big 12) in a clash of contrasting forms. BYU aims to improve their 2-5 road record, while K-State looks to continue their dominance at home (12-3).
Statistical Edge: BYU
BYU boasts a significant statistical advantage over K-State:
- Points per Game: BYU (18th) vs. K-State (255th)
- Field Goal Percentage: BYU (62nd) vs. K-State (268th)
- 3-Point Percentage: BYU (97th) vs. K-State (328th)
K-State’s lone statistical edge lies in blocked shots, ranking 50th compared to BYU’s 259th.
Recent Results
BYU defeated K-State 72-66 a few weeks ago but is 1-6 against the spread on the road. K-State is on a 1-7 slide, yet their single win was a massive upset over #9 Kansas at home in overtime. Additionally, their difficult recent schedule (Iowa State, Houston, TCU, Texas) factors into our predictive model.
Model Prediction: A Close One
Despite recent struggles, our model favors a Kansas State win (77-71) based on their tough schedule and home-court edge.
X-Factor: Spencer Johnson’s Availability
BYU guard Spencer Johnson (10 PPG) could miss the game as his wife went into labor on Thursday.
Bottom Line
This game pits BYU’s offensive firepower against K-State’s home-court tenacity. Expect a close battle with a potential K-State upset if BYU can’t overcome their road woes.