Oklahoma Sooners vs Kansas State Wildcats Free NCAAB Pick, 1–16–2018
Free College Basketball Spread Pick by Brian Quincy of ATS Experts
Oklahoma Sooners (14–2) vs Kansas State Wildcats (12–5)
Date: January 16, 2018
Game Time: 9:00 pm
NCAAB Odds: Kansas St +3
A key Big 12 matchup on the hardwood Tuesday night with the #6 Oklahoma Sooners visiting the Kansas State Wildcats. Kansas State needs a marquee win on their resume but do they have the goods to beat an Oklahoma team that has won 12 of their last 13 games?
Oklahoma is one of the hottest teams in the nation and they lead the college rank, averaging 93 PPG. The Sooners are led by breakout freshman star, Trae Young who averages a whopping 30 PPG. Young is one of the leading candidates for National Player of the Year along with Marvin Bagley III of Duke. Trae Young has turned this Sooners program into a title contender and he is fresh off a 43 point, 11 rebound, 7 assist performance vs TCU. The Sooners are deadly from 3-point range shooting 41% and this shot is key to the Sooners success. The biggest issue the Sooners have is their defense. They allow 81 PPG which is near the bottom of the NCAA ranks so as the season progresses this end of the court will be pivotal to their success come Tournament time.
Do the Wildcats have the talent to upset the Sooners as +3 point home underdogs? The Wildcats are 8–1 at home this season and nearly pulled off an upset over inter-state rival, Kansas, 73–72. KSU has lost three of four, all to Big 12 opponents (West Virginia, Texas Tech and Kansas). The Wildcats are led by Barry Brown (16.6 PPG), Dean Wade (15 PPG) and Kamau Stokes (13 PPG). KSU is a well-rounded team that defends the 3-point line well (32.9 %) which will be key to this matchup vs the sharpshooting Sooners.
Trae Young is the best guard in the nation and is drawing comparisons to Stephan Curry — not bad for a freshman. This Oklahoma team will be a contender down the stretch but it worries me that they are too reliant on a freshman. Kansas State is a solid defensive team allowing 66 PPG and Oklahoma’s defense, or lack thereof, should allow Kansas State to have a better than average offensive night. I lean Kansas State in this matchup as the home court energy will be high and they could make it difficult for Trae Young to get off uncontested shots. Take the +3 points and back the home team in this matchup.
Oklahoma vs Kansas State: Kansas State +3
