The Kansas State Wildcats (2-0) will be at home in Fred Bramlage Coliseum when they take on the UC Irvine Anteaters (2-1). Kansas State opened as a 14.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 134.5 points. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Friday, November 17, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
UC Irvine Anteaters at Kansas State Wildcats Odds Preview
The Anteaters dismantled the Chapman Panthers in their last outing, 91-52. With 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, Brad Greene put together a good outing for UC Irvine. UC Irvine dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a great turnover percentage of 9.0 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 53.7. For those same stats, Chapman recorded marks of 20.8 and 25.0, respectively.
In the Wildcats last game, they blew out the UMKC Kangaroos, 72-51. Kansas State rallied around Dean Wade, who recorded 11 points and eight rebounds. Kansas State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 40.6 and a turnover percentage of 14.5. For those same stats, UMKC recorded marks of 21.4 and 21.7, respectively.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NCAAs slowest-paced teams face off. Kansas State ranks 289th in possessions per game (67.1) and UC Irvine is 290th (67.1) since the 2016-17 season. Ball protection could be troublesome for the Anteaters. They rank 268th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 19.8 percent), while the Wildcats have forced the 19th-most turnovers in the NCAA (opponents turnover percentage of 22.5 percent).
The Anteaters have had records of 23-15 straight up (SU) and 18-16-1 against the spread (ATS) since last season. UC Irvine games have gone under the projected point total 51.4 percent of the time since last season.
The Wildcats, on the other hand, are 22-13 SU and 16-14-1 ATS since last season. Vegas has been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Kansas State games over that same stretch with 15 overs compared to 15 unders.
UC Irvine Anteaters at Kansas State Wildcats Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Kansas State, ATS Winner – UC Irvine, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Anteaters rank 33rd in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Wildcats rank 94th (3.1).
- UC Irvine ranks 13th in rebounds per game (40.3) while Kansas State ranks 273rd (33.0).
- The Wildcats rank 24th in steals per game (7.8) while the Anteaters rank 253rd (5.1).
- UC Irvine ranks 41st in assists allowed per game (11.4) while Kansas State ranks 129th (12.9).
