Kansas vs. Iowa State Point Spread – College Basketball Monday
Carrie Stroup here with your Kansas vs. Iowa State point spread for Monday’s College Basketball. Be sure to claim your FREE $100 BET at Sportsbook.com here and remember you can wager on every play of this game right up to the final minute with LIVE IN-PLAY BETTING.
Sportsbook.ag Line: Iowa State -2 & 153.5
Last season, Iowa State lost all three games to Kansas, including two heartbreaking losses. However, the No. 9 ranked Cyclones get their first chance at payback this season on Monday when they host the No. 18 Jayhawks.
The series between these Big 12 foes as been quite lopsided in favor of Kansas since 2006 (16-1 SU, 9-7-1 ATS), but the teams played two exciting regular-season games in 2012-13, with the Jayhawks prevailing in overtime twice. One win was courtesy of a banked three-pointer at the end of regulation, and controversial foul calls helped KU pull out a win in Ames. The Jayhawks are currently on a two-game winning streak, including an impressive 86-60 victory over then-No. 25 Kansas State on Saturday. Freshman star SF Andrew Wiggins (15.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG) is starting to show the potential that has many people thinking he is the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. In the second half of the game against K-State, he scored 17 of his 22 points, and took over the game on both ends of the court. The Jayhawks (7-8 ATS) have had their problems this season, but are starting to show national championship potential. In their last loss against San Diego State on Jan. 5, Kansas was able to score only 57 points on 29.8% FG. However, the offense has been clicking during conference play, as the Jayhawks have scored 88.0 PPG on 55.5% FG in the first two games, improving them to 50.1% FG for the season (6th in nation). They will need to score a lot of points again on Monday, as Iowa State (8-4 ATS) has one of the most elite offenses in the country, ranking second in the nation in assists (18.9 APG), while ranking sixth in scoring (86.7 PPG), and 11th in shooting (49.5% FG). The Cyclones are coming off their first loss of the season, falling at Oklahoma 87-82 on Saturday. Even more important, senior PG DeAndre Kane (16.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 6.1 APG) suffered an ankle injury and is doubtful for Monday's game. If he is unable to go, Iowa State will have to change the way it plays offensively, possibly using SF Georges Niang (15.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.5 APG) as a point forward. This will be only the fourth true road game for a young Jayhawks squad that is just 1-2 (SU and ATS) on the road this season, while the Cyclones are 8-0 SU (5-1 ATS) at home.
The Jayhawks had major expectations coming into the season, but the process has been a little bit slower than expected. Coach Bill Self put together one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the country, and the team suffered some lumps along the way. However, the Jayhawks have no bad losses as all four of the defeats are to teams currently in the top-25 (Villanova, Colorado, Florida and San Diego State). One of the biggest problems with KU has been the inconsistency among the players. While SF Andrew Wiggins (45% FG, 34% threes) appears to be turning the corner, another Jayhawks freshman has also taken his game to the next level during Big 12 play. Wayne Selden Jr. (10.3 PPG, 43% threes) has had his ups and downs early, but has been on a tear as of late. In the Jayhawks' first two Big 12 games, he is averaging 22.0 PPG on 59% FG (8-of-15 threes). At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, Selden is a nightmare matchup for opponents. He does a great job of finishing in the paint, and can score in many different ways. However, if KU is going to win this game, then it will be behind the strong play of its frontcourt. PF Perry Ellis (13.7 PPG, 58% FG, 6.7 RPG) and C Joel Embiid (10.5 PPG, 66% FG, 7.3 RPG) are a terrific duo that complements each other very well. Ellis is a highly-skilled post player that can take over the game on the offensive end. While Embiid is continuing to improve every day on the offensive end of the court, he is a game-changer on the defensive end with 2.4 BPG. The Cyclones are very aggressive on the offensive end, so Embiid must avoid foul trouble and be a presence in the paint. PG Naadir Tharpe (8.0 PPG, 5.4 APG, 38% threes) is continuing to improve his play at the point guard position with 17 assists and just one turnover in three January games, and he must play like that against the Cyclones. As a junior on this young team, he will be the guy the team looks to if Iowa State starts to make a run, and he must give them that calming presence on the court. If Tharpe is unable to do that, then Hilton Coliseum will be absolutely rocking, making it very difficult for the Jayhawks to win.
The offense gets all the attention in Ames, but the Iowa State defense holds opponents to 68.8 PPG on 39.3% FG, a rate that drops to 36.0% FG (27.7% threes) at home. PG DeAndre Kane is one of the most complete players in the country, and if he is unable to go on Monday, it would be a huge loss. Hilton Coliseum is one of the best home-court advantages in all of the country, and the Cyclones are 3-0 this season at home against Top 25 opponents. PFs Melvin Ejim (18.0 PPG, 52% FG, 7.1 RPG) and Dustin Hogue (12.3 PPG, 58% FG, 9.3 RPG) have been great all season, and have made it to where opposing defenses can’t focus primarily on SF Georges Niang (50% FG, 82% FT) and Kane. Ejim is a versatile forward that can play on the perimeter if needed, and can pull a guy like Embiid out from the paint. In last season's series with Kansas, Ejim averaged 13.3 PPG and 8.3 RPG in the three defeats. Hogue is the glue guy on the team, the player willing to do whatever the team needs to get the win. On Monday night, that will most likely include guarding Andrew Wiggins. Through their first 15 games, the Cyclones have attempted more three-pointers (374, 24.9 per game) than free throws (360, 24.0 per game). SG Naz Long (8.4 PPG) is the Cyclones' best shooter this season (46% threes), and can catch fire from anywhere on the court. With its loss at Oklahoma on Saturday, Iowa State is facing a very huge game when it comes to the Big 12 standings. If they are able to get the victory, they will be right back in contention for the conference title. However, a loss would put the Cyclones basically three games out in a very tough conference.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
