What: Texas (8-5, 0-1) vs. Kansas State (10-3, 0-1)
When: Tuesday, January 5th, 2016
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Austin, Texas
Venue: Frank Erwin Center
Television: Longhorn Network
Preview
Kansas State is reeling from a double overtime thriller against West Virginia that saw the Wildcats lose on their home court 87-83. The Wildcats went toe-to-toe with a Top-25 ranked Mountaineer team that ultimately won on a game-saving blocked shot to pull off the win in the Little Apple. Kansas State finished the non-conference portion of their schedule 10-2, losing only to North Carolina and Texas A&M, both of which were ranked opponents.
The Wildcats struggled with Colorado State and at Georgia, two teams that are not likely to make the tournament. Kansas State has size that can score. Three of their top five scorers are 6’7″ or taller with the best of them being Wesley Iwundu, a junior from Houston, TX. Kansas State has potential and can certainly play but they seem to be a middle of the road team statistically this season. The Wildcats rank 249th in total points scored on the season and 235th in field goal percentage. They also rank near the bottom in 3-point field goal percentage at 326th out of 351 teams (making 29.5% of their 3 point shots). Bruce Weber’s team has struggled to put up points at times but with a weakened frontcourt for the Longhorns, it might be a great opportunity for the Wildcats to improve those offensive statistics.
While Kansas State’s offensive production might need help, their defense certainly doesn’t. The Wildcats are the 17th best team in opponent points allowed and rank 46th in opponent field goal percentage. The glaring stat pertinent to the Longhorns’ task at-hand is this: Kansas State ranks 3rd nationally in opponent 3-point percentage (opponents make only 25% of their 3-point shots). Kansas State’s gameplan will likely consist of guarding the 3-point line to prevent Tevin Mack, Connor Lammert, and Javan Felix from getting any good looks while also cutting down the driving lanes of Isaiah Taylor.
For the Longhorns to win this game a big man must step up in Cam Ridley’s absence. If the Texas bigs can add a combined 10 points and 15 rebounds while also staying out of foul trouble, the Longhorns should win this game. However, the statistics tell me that the Wildcats will be able to shut down the Texas offense and win a grind-it-out type of game where the Longhorn bigs will be in constant foul trouble.
The Big 12 boasts the top-rated RPI among conferences and a win over a conference opponent is nothing short of huge. This is a big game for both programs no matter how you slice it.
*Prediction: Kansas State wins 67-60
