There are few bigger games in the Big 12 than the game between Kansas and Iowa State. Everyone is going to remember when Kansas was the preseason favorites to win the NCAA Championship. The Jayhawks have struggled to put games away this season and have lost some games they should not have lost. Kansas is fresh off a loss to Baylor, a game in which Kansas blew a 21 point first half lead. Those are the types of games that Kansas almost always wins.
Two weeks ago Iowa State was a trendy pick to be the overall number 1 team in the country. Since that point they have lost three of their last 4 games and two in a row. The Cyclones got smoked against a bad Kansas State team in their last outing. The loss to Arizona was expected given how well Arizona has been playing at McKale this year. Nevertheless the Cyclones have started to show some chinks in the armor that made them one of the premier teams in the country.
The Kansas Jayhawks (15-6, 6-4) host the Iowa State Cyclones (17-4, 7-3) in a crucial Big 12 matchup. The Cyclones need to get on the right track and start playing like the team so many thought was the number 1 team in the country for most of December and January. The Jayhawks need to protect home court and prove to everyone they still are good enough to win the National Championship like so many predicted they would in the preseason.
How to watch Iowa State vs Kansas
- Date: Monday, February 3
- Time: 8:00 PM CST
- Venue: Allen Fieldhouse
- How to Watch (TV): ESPN
- Streaming: fubo TV
- Iowa State record: 17-4
- Kansas record: 15-6
Iowa State vs Kansas odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Iowa State- +116
- Kansas - -140
Spread
- Iowa State- +2.5
- Kansas- -2.5
Total
- Over 145.5
Iowa State Injury Report
- Milan Momcilovic- Out (Hand)
- Conrad Hawley- Out (Shoulder)
Kansas Injury Report
- Zach Clemence- Out (Groin)
- Noah Shelby- Out (Undisclosed)
- Elmarko Jackson- Out (Knee)
Kansas and Iowa State series history
- Kansas all-time record vs. Iowa State: 142-55
Iowa State vs Kansas prediction
Iowa State heads to Lawrence in desperation mode. They have lost 3 of their last 4 games and the most recent loss to Kansas State was a head scratcher. The Cyclones did just get back from their cross country trip to Arizona and some jet lag was to be expected but Kansas State isn’t very good and never should have beaten Iowa State by 20 plus points. Kansas blew a 21 point in Waco to lose to Baylor. The Jayhawks have had a hard time finishing games this year.
Head coach TJ Otzelberger makes sure that his Cyclones know that the program hangs its hat on defense. Iowa State has been one of the best defensive teams in the country under coach Otzelberger, and the defense first philosophy is what built the Cyclones into what they are today. This year defense isnt the only thing that is dangerous for Iowa State. They are currently the 17th ranked offense in the country according to KenPom. That is a 35 point improvement from last year.
Curtis Jones (18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists) is one of the best scoring guards in the country and when he is scoring at a high volume Iowa State is difficult to beat. Jones has the ability to go for 30 any time he touches the floor. Keshon Gilbert (15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists) leads the defense and sets up the offense. Gilbert is also a guy who is going to take the game over when it is winning time. He makes winning plays and when Iowa State is winning games their point guard is usually at the center of everything.
This is the first year that Kansas has had this kind of depth. The Jayhawks have a legitimate 8 players that will play and can contribute. The Phog is a different place and is an extremely tough place to play when Kansas is making shots. The Jayhawks already lost to Iowa State at Hilton and don’t want to lose to the Cyclones again. Kansas will be ready for this game and have the two best players on the floor.
Hunter Dickinson 16.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists) is good enough to dominate every game he plays in but there are times when he has lapses and doesn’t play very well or makes bad decisions. If Kansas wants to reach their ceiling that has to stop happening. Zeke Mayo (15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists) is a premier scorer. Mayo is one of the true pure scorers in the game. He can score from anywhere and the Jayhawks need their star guard to have a huge game.
The styles will contrast as Iowa State will shoot threes and move the ball around the perimeter before driving the basketball. Jones and guard Tamin Lipsey are fantastic shooters and will make them when they are open. Kansas is going to work the ball inside to Dickinson and let their star Mayo take the game over on offense. Point guard DeJuan Harris is an elite passer and defender and makes Kansas a lot better when he plays. This will be a fun one.