Kansas Jayhawks (16-3) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (14-4)
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Iowa State Cyclones 1/27/24 – As the NCAA Men’s Basketball season continues to heat up, an intriguing matchup is set to take place this Saturday, with the Kansas Jayhawks facing off against the Iowa State Cyclones. Both teams have shown formidable strength throughout the season. This game is a significant one for fans and bettors alike, eagerly searching for NCAAB top picks, as it could have substantial implications on the conference standings.
Kansas Jayhawks have been outstanding this season, scoring an average of 79.2 points per game on 50.8% shooting from the field and holding opponents to 27 points per game on defense. Yet their performance against the spread shows some inconsistency when betting road games; their record against this particular handicapper stands at 2-5; yet bettors should consider them an effective challenger due to their ability to manage pace while producing effective scoring.
Iowa State Cyclones have also displayed impressive statistics, outscoring Kansas with 80.7 points per game and 48.7% field goal percentage. Their aggressive defensive strategy has resulted in 11.4 steals per game demonstrating their ability to quickly turn defense into offense. While overall their performance has been strong, their road games record stands at just 2-4 which indicates vulnerabilities when playing away from home.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Iowa State Cyclones 1/27/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 1:30 PM ET |
| Where: | James H. Hilton Coliseum |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Kevin McCullar Jr. (Guard) vs. Keshon Gilbert (Guard)
In 19 games played this season, Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. is averaging 34.8 minutes, 20 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. He’s shooting 48.2% from the field, 82.5% from the free throw line and 36.6% from three. McCullar excels at attacking the rim but can also stretch the floor with his outside shooting. He does struggle with turnovers, coughing it up 2.4 times per contest.
Iowa State floor general Keshon Gilbert has played 18 games, putting up 29.1 minutes, 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals per outing. He’s shooting 46.3% from the field, 71.4% from the charity stripe and 23.9% from deep. Gilbert distributes the ball well but his scoring comes mostly from inside the arc as his three point shot has been inconsistent. He also commits 2.9 turnovers per game.
This matchup pits McCullar’s explosive scoring ability against Gilbert’s pesky defense. McCullar’s turnover issues could be exacerbated by Gilbert’s disruptiveness. But if McCullar takes care of the ball, his talent could be too much for Gilbert to contain. It’s an intriguing battle that could determine the outcome.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
With the betting odds yet to be determined, bettors will want to keep a close eye on the spread and moneyline as the game approaches. Given the teams’ recent performances and trends, the odds could offer insights into expected game dynamics.
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Trends
Kansas has gone over the total in 3 of its last 5 overall but just 2 of 12 on the road. This shows that while the Jayhawks can fill it up at home, opposing defenses have more success slowing them down away from home. Kansas is also just 2-5 against the spread on the road, failing to cover in most contests as the favorite.
Iowa State Cyclones Betting Trends
Iowa State has gone over the total in 2 of their last 5 games, and 7 of 12 at home this year. This indicates that fast-paced, high-scoring contests are common when they play in Ames. However, they are just 3-2 against the spread in their last 5 outings, suggesting bettors see vulnerabilities despite their strong defense.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Iowa State Cyclones 1/27/24 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, this game presents a closely matched contest that could go either way. Both teams have shown they can score and defend, making this a potentially high-scoring affair. The key battle between McCullar Jr. and Gilbert will be pivotal in determining the game’s outcome.
Given the teams’ performances and the critical nature of this matchup in the conference standings, the pick here leans slightly towards the Kansas Jayhawks, primarily due to their slightly better overall consistency and McCullar Jr.’s impact. However, bettors should consider the spread and total carefully, keeping an eye on the final odds and any changes leading up to the game.
Nonetheless, with both teams closely matched, it promises to be an exciting game that could ultimately come down to the wire, offering great value for expert handicapping.
Free Pick and Prediction: Kansas Jayhawks 78, Iowa State Cyclones 74