The Iowa State Cyclones and the Kansas State Wildcats meet Saturday in college basketball action from Bramlage Coliseum. Iowa State is fresh off a Wednesday matchup versus TCU. In that one the Cyclones managed an 11-point victory. As for Kansas State, they’re sitting at 19-7 overall following a loss to Oklahoma on Tuesday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State got off to a pretty good start this year, going 14-3 over their first 17 games. The Cyclones won just two of their next seven games however, falling to Oklahoma State, Missouri, Texas Tech, West Virginia and Oklahoma State again in that time.
In the TCU game on Wednesday, the Cyclones were up 35-24 by the break. Iowa State kept the pace on a 35-35 second-half run and won the game 70-59. Aljaz Kunc topped the team with 22 points and five rebounds in 31 minutes.
Kansas State Wildcats
Over on the Kansas State side, they hit a nice 16-2 run over their first 18 games of the season. The Wildcats are just 3-5 since then with losses to Iowa State, Kansas, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma alongside wins over Texas Tech, Florida and TCU.
In the Oklahoma game on Tuesday, the Wildcats held a 36-36 tie at the break. Kansas State was outscored 43-29 from there and lost 79-65. Nae’Qwan Tomlin was the team’s leading scorer, doubling on 17 points and 10 rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stick with Kansas State in this one. You could make a case either way here, though; both teams could use a good showing. The Wildcats are sitting on a rough 1-4 stretch over their last five, and they’ve hit 66 or fewer points in three of their last four. These teams last saw each other back on January 24 at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State powered out an 80-76 win in that one thanks to a 49-43 run in the second half. Kansas State should play a solid game at home, so I like the Wildcats to bang out a cover here. It’ll be a fun, competitive game regardless.