Kansas State will vie for its first Final Four appearance since 1964 when it squares off against No. 9-seeded Florida Atlantic in the East Regional Final at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
The No. 3-seeded Wildcats outlasted No. 7-seeded Michigan State 98-93 in overtime in the Sweet 16, led by Markquis Nowell‘s epic 20-point, 19-assist, five-steal performance.
The Owls stunned No. 4-seeded Tennessee 62-55 in the nightcap, keyed by Johnell Davis‘ 15 points and six rebounds. FAU stymied the Vols defensively, limiting them to just 33.3-percent shooting and 6-for-23 from three-point range.
Here’s a look at my best bets for K-State and FAU.
Pat Pickens’ March Madness Betting Record: 25-16 (+14.1 units)
Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic Odds
- Moneyline: Kansas State (-130) • Florida Atlantic (+110)
- Spread: Kansas State -2 (-110) • FAU +2 (-110)
- Total: Over 144.5 (-110) • Under 144.5 (-110)
Note: CBB odds mentioned in this article for Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic were used from DraftKings Sportsbook, unless otherwise noted, and are current as of 10 a.m. on Friday, March 24.
Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic Pick of the Day
Keep scrolling for more Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic betting tips.
Read all of our Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic picks:
Kansas State vs FAU Prediction
Kansas State 83, Florida Atlantic 77
The Owls seem addicted to winning and are too talented and on too much of a burner to get blown out. But K-State is deeper, especially offensively, and should do enough to squeak out a narrow win.
📈 Keep track of NCAA Tournament winner odds to find our best March Madness bets:
Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic Best Bets
Kansas State -2 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Nowell is starting to look like a serious candidate for tournament Most Outstanding Player, and Keyontae Johnson is a bonafide big man capable of taking over games. FAU does have 7-footer Vladislav Goldin to handle Johnson, but you have to think K-State coach Jerome Tang will try and devise a game plan that lures Goldin away from the basket so his guards can drive and score.
Every year, there’s a mid-major who goes on a run and refuses to lose, but every year it ends at some point against a more talented team. K-State is clearly more talented, and the spread isn’t big enough to not lay the points, especially since a two-point win will push.
Over 144.5 Points (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Both teams are averaging almost 80 points per game, and unlike against Tennessee, FAU is going to need to score points to keep up with Nowell, Johnson, and the rest of the Wildcats’ offense. K-State is averaging 83.3 points per game in the NCAA Tournament, led by Nowell’s 21.3 per game, and Johnson’s 18 points per game.
FAU is capable of playing an offensively driven game, since it averaged 78 per game and hit that mark in its second-round win over FDU. Look for a high-scoring game Saturday.
