Kansas State vs Wichita State Picks and Odds (Dec. 5)

• Wichita State is a 3.5-point favorite over Kansas State on Sunday
• The Shockers are coming off road wins against Missouri and Oklahoma State
• A look at the matchup and odds can be found below with a prediction

Two in-state teams looking to continue their current momentum face off when Kansas State meets Wichita State at 6pm ET Sunday at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita.

Kansas State (4-2) has won two games in a row, including routing Albany 71-43 on Wednesday. On the same night, Wichita State (6-1) extended its winning streak to three games with a 60-51 victory at Oklahoma State.

This is a neutral-site game despite being played in Wichita. The Shockers usually play their home games on campus at Charles Koch Arena.

Wichita State is favored in a game that will be televised by ESPNU.

Kansas State vs Wichita State Odds

Odds as of December 4th at FanDuel

Kansas State Outlook

Sophomore guard Nijel Pack has picked up where he left off following a fine 2020-21 season. Pack is Kansas State’s leading scorer with a 15.8 average and has been very consistent with at least 14 points in all six games.

He also seems like quite a young man.

There’s nothing better than making an NPACK on the lives of others. @KSBBBSRiley pic.twitter.com/SZktJLh6Bk

— Nijel Pack (@NijelPack24) December 4, 2021

Pack scored a game-high 17 points against Albany. He knocked down 5-of-8 attempts from three-point range.

Junior guard Markquis Nowell has made a big impact after transferring from Arkansas-Little Rock, where he was an All-Sun Belt Conference first-team selection in 2019-20. He is averaging 11.7 points, 3.0 assists and 2.2 steals in his first season at Kansas State.

While Pack and Nowell are the only Wildcats players with double figure scoring averages, senior guard Mark Smith is close at 9.3 points a game. He also leads the team with a 7.5 rebounding average after transferring from Missouri.

Smith had 14 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday for his second double-double in a row. Sophomore guard Selton Miguel came off the bench and had a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes.

Former Missouri guard Mark Smith has committed to Kansas State. He’ll play there as a grad transfer. pic.twitter.com/jYI40cCPis

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 30, 2021

Kansas State held a huge rebounding advantage at 48-27 and limited Albany to 31.5% (17-of-54) shooting, including 1-for-11 (5.6%) on three-point tries. The Wildcats also forced 16 turnovers.

Kansas State is allowing just 84.3 points per 100 possessions, a defensive rating that ranks 21st in the country.

Kansas State used a 13-4 run to start the second half to extend their lead from 29-20 to 42-24. The Wildcats eventually went ahead by as many as 28 points.

Wichita State Outlook

Wichita State is coming two straight road wins over power conference programs as the Shockers beat Missouri in Columbia before taking down Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

Shockers sophomore guard Tyson Etienne was the co-Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference last season and he is off to a strong start in 2021-22.

Tyson Etienne is the most over looked prospect in this draft class and it’s not even close. He’s a natural at hitting tough shots off the bounce, and just has a knack for putting the ball in the bucket. His bag is filled with skills and move combinations that are advanced… pic.twitter.com/xDNRS6MSJs

— Savant Hoops (@SavantHoops) November 26, 2021

Etienne is averaging 16.3 points a game to lead Wichita State. Perhaps the most impressive part of the Shockers’ win on Wednesday was they prevailed despite Etienne being limited to five points on 2-of-7 shooting.

Freshman guard Ricky Council IV picked the scoring slack as he knocked down four threes of his way to 17 points. That was part of an outstanding effort that included seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Council’s season scoring average is 11.1 to go with 1.6 steals.

Junior forward Morris Udeze had 13 points and has averages of 9.0 points and 5.6 rebounds. Sophomore forward Clarence “Monzy” Jackson scored a season-high 10 points in 17 minutes of reserve action.

Morris Udeze with the biggest charge of his LIFE. Season saver for the #Shockers. Wow pic.twitter.com/8VkstCcUEu

— CBB Talk (@CBBSuperFan) March 12, 2021

Like Kansas State, Wichita State defends well. The Shockers’ 86.8 defensive rating ranks 46th nationally.

Oklahoma State turned the ball over 21 times against the Shockers and shot just 37.5% (18-of-48). The Cowboys also was held without a field goal for the final 6:15 as Wichita State went on a 15-3 run to turn a 48-45 deficit into a nine-point win.

Kansas State vs Wichita State Prediction

This is the first meeting between the two in-state schools since the 2003-04 season. Kansas State has won the last two matchups with Wichita State.

The Shockers look strong again after winning a share of the American Athletic Conference regular season title in 2020-21. Look for them to beat anotheer power conference foe.

The Pick: Wichita State -3.5 (-120)