The Iowa State Cyclones look to continue asserting their dominance in the Big 12 tonight with a visit to the Kansas State Wildcats.
Jerome Tang’s seat is warming up as his Wildcats sit 1-7 in conference play, but a rash of injuries has left him with few options. It won’t get any easier against a Cyclone team that's clicking at both ends of the floor, having already won six conference games by double digits.
I explain why offense will be hard to find for the home team in my Iowa State vs. Kansas State predictions and college basketball picks below.
Iowa State vs Kansas State prediction
Iowa State vs Kansas State best bet: Kansas State team total Under 70.5 (-120)
It’s difficult for any team to overcome losing three starters to injury. That’s what the Kansas State Wildcats have been dealing with the past three games, with Khamari McGriff, Abdi Bashir Jr, and Elias Rapieque all missing out.
The injuries have led to the Wildcats having little depth, as they used just seven players in their loss to West Virginia. And with McGriff and Rapieque out, it also leaves them with a lack of size in the frontcourt.
Those are not issues you want to have when facing the Iowa State Cyclones. They’re one of the best defensive teams in the country, ranking fifth nationally in forcing turnovers and 13th in adjusted defensive efficiency.
They also crash the offensive glass, get to the line often, and hit threes at a high rate when they take them. That’s bad news for a KSU team that ranks 13th in foul rate and 15th in defensive rebound rate in Big 12 play.
Kansas State is also sitting 15th in eFG%, 14th in offensive rebound rate, 16th in FT rate, and 14th in 3-point percentage since starting conference play. Throw in the depth issues, and it makes it difficult for the Wildcats to play at the high tempo at which they perform at their best.
An inability to make shots and take care of the ball will make scoring against the Cyclones even tougher. Iowa State will force plenty of turnovers, defend well, and prevent second-chance opportunities en route to holding the Wildcats under 70 points.
Iowa State vs Kansas State same-game parlay
Iowa State has responded to its two defeats in emphatic fashion, winning its last three games by at least 13 points. With how much Kansas State is struggling at both ends, this game will get away from the Wildcats.
The Cyclones are outstanding defensively, and they look to stifle teams from the opening tip. It’s a key reason why the first-half Under has hit in 10 of their last 12 road games. We should see more of the same today, as the Wildcats struggle early and often to find points.
Iowa State vs Kansas State SGP
- Kansas State team total Under 70.5
- Iowa State -12.5
- First half Under 73
Iowa State vs Kansas State odds
- Spread: Iowa State -11.5 (-115) | Kansas State +11.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Iowa State -800 | Kansas State +500
- Over/Under: Over 154.5 (-115) | Under 154.5 (-105)
Iowa State vs Kansas State betting trend to know
Kansas State has hit the team total Under in 23 of its last 34 games for +10.50 units and a 27% ROI. Find more college basketball betting trends for Iowa State vs. Kansas State.
How to watch Iowa State vs Kansas State
| Location | Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, KS |
| Date | Sunday, February 1, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
Iowa State vs Kansas State key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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