K-State Wildcats vs. TCU Horned Frogs: TV, time, odds, game preview, score prediction
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The Kansas State men’s basketball team will try to improve its NCAA Tournament resume when it hosts the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum.
Here’s everything you need to know before tipoff, plus a score prediction:
When: 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Bramlage Coliseum (Manhattan)
TV: ESPNU
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita
Betting line: K-State by 1.5
Over/Under: 142.5
STARTING LINEUPS
P | No. | TCU | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 2 | Emanuel Miller | 6-7 | Sr. | 16.4 |
F | 8 | Ernest Udeh | 6-11 | So. | 4.3 |
G | 11 | Trevian Tennyson | 6-3 | Sr. | 10.0 |
G | 4 | Jameer Nelson Jr. | 6-2 | Sr. | 10.9 |
G | 0 | Micah Peavy | 6-8 | Sr. | 11.0 |
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 20 | Jerrell Colbert | 6-10 | So. | 2.5 |
G | 4 | Dai Dai Ames | 6-1 | Fr. | 4.8 |
G | 24 | Arthur Kaluma | 6-7 | Jr. | 14.5 |
G | 5 | Cam Carter | 6-3 | So. | 15.9 |
G | 2 | Tylor Perry | 5-11 | Sr. | 14.8 |
About TCU (17-7, 6-5)
The Horned Frogs are once again headed for the NCAA Tournament with a team that forces turnovers and scores in transition. TCU looks different than it did last season, as most of its main contributors are transfers, but they are still playing the same style under coach Jamie Dixon. The Horned Frogs are coming off an 81-65 win over West Virginia. Emanuel Miller is their leading scorer, but they get consistent contributions from several different players on offense.
About Kansas State (15-9, 5-6)
The Wildcats are coming off a 72-66 road loss against BYU. They have lost five of their past six games and need to go on a winning streak if they hope to reach the NCAA Tournament. Cam Carter, Arthur Kaluma and Tylor Perry lead the team in scoring. Dai Dai Ames and Jerrell Colbert have recently joined the starting lineup, but K-State still relies on Will McNair and David N’Guessan off the bench. The Wildcats have been tough to beat at home this season, going 11-2 at the Octagon of Doom.
TCU at K-State score prediction
Motivation, rest and home-court advantage could be major factors in this game.
Why?
Well, because on paper there are plenty of reasons to like TCU in this matchup. The Horned Frogs force turnovers 21.1% of the time on defense, and they thrive on scoring points in transition off of those turnovers. That is bad news for the Wildcats, who turn the ball over 21.5% of the time.
If K-State gives the ball away 15-plus times on Saturday and TCU scores easy layups off of them this won’t be much of a game.
But I doubt that happens. This feels like the type of game where you have to look beyond statistical trends and back the team that should benefit from all the factors listed in the first sentence of this prediction.
The Wildcats absolutely have to win this game if they hope to reach the NCAA Tournament. They should be highly motivated and play with maximum energy. That could make a big difference on Saturday, because they haven’t played in a week. K-State players should have fresh legs, which will help when it comes to things like taking care of the ball on offense and getting back on defense.
Furthermore, K-State is hard to beat at home.
Tang’s team should be able to play strong defense in front of its own fans and make life miserable for TCU in half-court sets.
The Horned Frogs beat the Wildcats by double digits in two of three meetings last season, but K-State struck back with an 82-61 victory inside the Octagon of Doom. I’m expecting another home win for the Wildcats in this series.
K-State 65, TCU 61
Last game prediction: BYU 75, K-State 63. (Actual result: BYU 72, K-State 66)
Season Record: 19-5
Season Record ATS: 12-12
Season Record O/U: 18-6
