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Kansas vs. Kansas State: How to watch, odds, picks, final score predictions from ESPN, KenPom

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•01/17/23•

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(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

No. 2 Kansas (16-1, 5-0) heads to No. 13 Kansas State (15-2, 4-1) square off in a Big 12 rivalry matchup. Ahead of the game, which will be broadcast live on ESPN, predictions and betting odds – including KenPom analytics – are rolling in.

How to watch Kansas vs. Kansas State

Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET

Location: Manhattan (Kan.)

Channel: ESPN

Vegas Odds

Kansas is a 1.5 point favorite over Kansas State Tuesday, according to the odds at VegasInsider. The total is set at 147.5

ESPN BPI prediction

Predicted winner: Kansas

Predicted point differential: 1.4

Win probability Kansas: 54.8%

Matchup quality: 95.3

ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances. The rivalry game is the second highest rated game by ESPN, only trailing Texas versus Iowa State.

KenPom prediction

Predicted final score: Kansas wins 75-73

Win probability Kansas: 57%

KenPom is another tool that provides advanced analysis across college basketball. This is another projection that is mightily close and the Wildcats could very well pull off an upset.

More on Kansas vs. Kansas State

Kansas head coach Bill Self did not hold back his praise for the arch rival of the Jayhawks.

“Well, I think they are a lot more talented,” Self said. “I think that their offensive firepower is doubled. They lost (Nijel) Pack, obviously, but they replaced him with some guys that can really score the ball. (Markquis) Nowell is having a player-of-the-year type year. (Keyontae) Johnson is he the second leading scorer in our league right now or third; he’s having an unbelievable year and is a great story. 

“And then they have recruited unbelievably well. No.35 (Nae’Qwan Tomlin) he’s a pro prospect; I mean, he’s an NBA prospect. I’m really impressed with their talent level and what and was able to do the staff was able to do in a short amount of time.”

After a 6-0 start, Kansas lost its first game to Tennessee, 64-50. But since then, the Jayhawks ripped off 10 wins in a row. 

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On the flip side, Kansas State lost only its second game of the season with an 82-68 loss to TCU. This is the first meeting with Kansas this year, with the second coming Jan. 31 in Lawrence.