Perennial power Kentucky shook off any concerns that may have stemmed from its lackluster effort in the SEC Tournament by ousting No. 11 seed Providence 61-53 in first-round action Friday. Now, the No. 6 seed Wildcats will take a step up in weight class, as the third-seeded Wildcats of Kansas State stand between them and a 46th all-time trip to the Sweet 16.
Kansas State outlasted No. 14 seed Montana State 77-65 in its East Regional opener to score its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2018.
Tip-off for this second-round matchup is slated for Sunday at 2:40 p.m. ET from Greensboro, N.C. It will be televised by CBS.
Read on for my Kansas State vs Kentucky prediction and best bets.
Doug Bonjour’s March Madness Betting Record: 1-2 (-1 Units)
Kansas State vs Kentucky Odds
Note: CBB odds mentioned in this article for Kansas State vs Kentucky were used from DraftKings Sportsbook, unless otherwise noted, and are current as of [Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m. ET].
- Moneyline: Kentucky (-130) • Kansas State (+110)
- Spread: Kentucky -2 (-110) • Kansas State +2 (-110)
- Total: Over 146 (-110) • Under 146 (-110)
Kansas State vs Kentucky Pick of the Day
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Kansas State vs Kentucky Prediction
Kansas State 74, Kentucky 72
Oscar Tshiebwe pulled down 25 rebounds against Providence, the second most by a player in the NCAA Tournament since 1973. While he’s sure to cause Kansas State fits, given the Wildcats’ inconsistency on the glass, the duo of Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell will ultimately be the difference.
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Kansas State vs Kentucky Best Bets
Kansas State +2 (-110) • DraftKings Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
Kansas State put on an offensive clinic against Montana State, shooting a healthy 58%, making 17-of-26 field goals in the second half. They also tied the school record for assists in an NCAA Tournament game with 21.
Granted, Kentucky will offer more resistance, especially in the paint with the 6-foot-9 Tshiebwe, but I like Kansas State’s ability to break down defenses with Nowell.
Kansas State vs Kentucky Same Game Parlay
Kansas State vs Kentucky SGP (+140)
WAGER: 1 Unit
- Kansas State +1.5 (-120)
- Kansas State Over 72.5 Points (-130)
Kentucky hasn’t come close to living up to its billing as a preseason top-5 team. The Wildcats turned in an inspiring effort against Providence, but Kansas State has enough options offensively to hold them off.
I also like Kansas State to go Over 72.5 points and come closer to its season average of 75.5.
Kansas State vs Kentucky Props
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