ISU vs KU CBB Hoops Handicapping
No. 16 Iowa State is 4-1 against ranked opponents this season and aim s to make it 5-1 if they can take two in a row on their trip through the Jayhawk State when they take on eighth-ranked Kansas on Wednesday. [ad-4468020]
Date/Time: 9 p.m. EST, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014
Venue: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas
Broadcast: ESPNU
Spread: -9 Kansas
Over/Under: OFF
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The Cyclones (15-3) will try to end the Jayhawks’ Big 12 unbeaten streak after halting a three-game losing streak — after winning its first 14 games — with an 81-75 victory over Kansas State on Saturday.
Iowa State got by the Wildcats with its No. 7 offense in the nation at 84.8 points per game. They also do a good job of spreading the ball around and rank second in assists at 18.2, while their 36.9 points in the paint are second in the Big 12.
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Led in scoring (17.9 points) by senior forward Melvin Ejim, who also adds 7.3 rebounds per game the Cyclones also boast one of the league’s best defenses.
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Meanwhile, Kansas (15-4) will try for a season sweep of the Cyclones on another solid showing from Andrew Wiggins, who will look to duplicate or better his performance in the first meeting, when he recorded 17 points and 19 rebounds in a 77-70 victory on Jan. 13.
The 6-8 freshman scored a career-high 27 points in a 91-69 win at Texas Christian on Saturday, and continues to turn in one great performance after another.
He is obviously the main force behind the Jayhawks’ offense that is steamrolling toward their 10th straight regular-season conference title.
However, Kansas has two more freshmen at the forefront in 7-0 center Joel Embiid, who averages 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game — including 17 rejections in the last four games — and guard Wayne Selden Jr.
Matt’s Free Pick
Kansas – Kansas has won 17 of the last 18 meetings, with Iowa State’s lone win coming back in 2012.
The Cyclones will return senior guard Bubu Palo who was suspended from the team in September 2012 after he was charged with second-degree sexual abuse in this one.
But, I still don’t expect that to be enough to help lift Iowa State over Bill Self’s red hot Jayhawks in this one.
