Wednesday night in CBB will see the Texas Longhorns travel to Manhattan, Kansas to take on the 25th ranked Kansas State Wildcats. The game is scheduled for a 9:00 pm tipoff and will be televised live on ESPN2. Currently Kansas State is favored by 5.5 points with the total being set at 136 for this game. The 25th-ranked Wildcats have lost three of four to start Big 12 play and they look to turn their fortunes around, as they return home to take on the Texas Longhorns this evening at Bramlage Coliseum.
Free Analysis: Frank Martin's Wildcats have tumbled in the national polls as a result of losses in three of their last four games and he is not a happy camper. The famously volatile Kansas State coach didn't interrupt practice the past two days even once to banish some miscreant to the stairs running from the court to the upper corridor at Bramlage Coliseum, the stark white steps that serve as punishment for lack of focus and intensity. Half the team was on them last week. Kansas State understands that its season is already hanging in the balance. The chance to still compete for a Big 12 title is fading, though still a possibility. And its chances of landing another NCAA tournament bid could take a dangerous hit with another loss to an unranked team. The last time out Kansas State had four players post double figures but it wasn't enough as the team dropped a nine-point decision to Oklahoma, while allowing the Sooners 54.9 while piling up the most points in a game against a team from one of the major conferences. On offense McGruder leads the way for Kansas State with 14.6 ppg. Spradling follows at 11.1 ppg, thanks to just over 40-percent accuracy from three-point range. Jamar Samuels rounds out the top scoring threats at 10.9 ppg and is also the team's top rebounder (6.7 rpg). KSU is averaging 74.8 ppg on 44.6 shooting, while permitting teams just 63.9 ppg on 39.1% shooting overall, but in Big 12 play they have allowed 70.8 ppg on 46.9% shooting. Rick Barnes' Longhorns are also coming into this game following a loss. Texas had a showdown with one of the Big 12's best in Columbia this past weekend and suffered an 84-73 loss to ninth-ranked Missouri. With the loss, Texas is now 2-2 in Big 12 action. The Longhorns have the ability to win games at either end of the court, averaging a steady 75.5 ppg, while limiting foes to just 64.1 ppg, on a mere .387 shooting. J'Covan Brown is the undeniable leader at the offensive end, ranking among the Big 12's best at a hefty 19.1 ppg. Sheldon McClellan is a distant second in the scoring column at 11.4 ppg, while Myck Kabongo (9.8 ppg), Jonathan Holmes (8.8 ppg) and Julien Lewis (8.4 ppg) provide some depth. This game marks the 22nd all-time meeting between these two teams. The Wildcats have won two straight and three of the last four meetings to take a 12-9 series advantage.
Free Pick: Gonna look for a low scoring game in this one. Defensive intensity is what Frank Martin is looking at in his team after allowing the Sooners to hit 54.9% of their shots and I expect the to have a better showing tonight vs a Texas team that has averaged just 60 ppg on the road and 65.8 ppg in conference play. KSU has had problems in conference play, allowing 70.8 ppg, but overall this unit has allowed just 63.9 ppg on 39.1 % shooting. KSU has been excellent on offense overall as they have averaged 74.8 ppg, but in Big 12 play they have averaged just 67.5 ppg and will be facing a tough defensive minded Longhorn squad that has allowed just 64.1 ppg on 38.7% shooting overall, while in the Big 12 they have allowed just 65.2 ppg. Both teams will look to their defense first tonight and neither team is a predominantly running squad so that will also keep the scoring down. I expect this one to struggle to hit 130.
Free Picks: TCU at UNLV Bettinghttp://PregameVideos.com - UNLV off tough loss at San Diego St and Pace of play should benefit UNLV plus other factors CBB bettors need to know about TCU at UNLV (Wednesday, January 18, 2012) from Pregame.com - Including predictions from Bryan Leonard and analysis from host Marco D'Angelo.