K-State Wildcats vs. Nebraska Huskers: Basketball lineups, TV, time, odds, prediction

Kellis Robinett

THE DETAILS

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Mo.

TV: ESPN+

Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita

Betting line: K-State by 2 1/2

Over/Under: 133.5

STARTING LINEUPS

P

No.

Nebraska

Ht.

Yr.

PPG

F

4

Juwan Gary

6-6

Jr.

9.4

F

13

Derrick Walker

6-9

Sr.

15.3

G

25

Emmanuel Bandoumel

6-4

Sr.

10.2

G

0

C.J. Wilcher

6-5

So.

10.4

G

5

Sam Griesel

6-7

Sr.

10.7

P

No.

Kansas State

Ht.

Yr.

PPG

F

3

David N’Guessan

6-9

Jr.

8.3

F

35

Nae’Qwan Tomlin

6-10

Jr.

9.9

F

11

Keyontae Johnson

6-6

Sr.

17.3

G

5

Cam Carter

6-3

So.

6.7

G

1

Markquis Nowell

5-8

Sr.

14.1



About Nebraska (6-5):

The Cornhuskers are off to a promising start under coach Fred Hoiberg. They have a winning record through 11 games and have solid wins against Florida State, Boston College and Creighton this season. Perhaps their best performance came during an overtime loss against Purdue in their last game. Nebraska doesn’t shoot the ball well from three-point range (31%), but it does make a good amount of shots from two-point range (53%). Derrick Walker has helped Nebraska play well lately. The senior forward from Kansas City missed the first five games but has recorded three double-doubles since. One would think he will be motivated to win at T-Mobile Center.

About Kansas State (9-1):

The Wildcats are off to their best start in a decade at 9-1, and they have won their past three games to enter Saturday with lots of momentum. Keyontae Johnson has led K-State all season and is now averaging 17.3 points per game. Markquis Nowell is the only other Wildcat player who averages double figures. But the Wildcats had seven players score 10 or more points in their last game against Incarnate Word. K-State defeated Nebraska on the road last season 67-58.

Prediction

Kansas State is a better team than Nebraska, but the Huskers will pose a unique matchup challenge for the Wildcats on Saturday.

The Wildcats have struggled at times this season to defend quality big men. Look no further than its lone loss against Butler when Manny Bates torched the Wildcats for 22 points and 10 rebounds. They will face another excellent forward in Derrick Walker at T-Mobile Center. The 6-foot-9 senior has averaged 15.3 points after missing the first five games of the season.

Preventing him from having a big game will be priority No. 1 for K-State on defense. David N’Guessan and Nae’Qwan Tomlin will need to be ready to play strong in the post against him.

But as long as Walker doesn’t go wild, the Wildcats should be able to find a way to win a low-scoring game. K-State can create some mismatches of its own on offense against Nebraska, and the Huskers pose little risk from the three-point line.

The Wildcats are the more well-rounded team and they will be playing in front of a friendly crowd. That should give them a small edge.

K-State 65, Nebraska 62

Last game prediction: K-State 82, Incarnate Word 57

Season record: 9-1.

Season record against the spread: 5-5.

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