Venue/ Stadium: Fred Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, KS
Kansas State (11-2) has already beaten a ranked team this season, but in their Big 12 opener they were throttled losing to Kansas 67-49 and things do not get any easier against an undefeated Missouri (14-0) squad that is the 2nd highest scoring team in the nation and leads the nation in FG%.
Time/Date: 1:30 PM EST Saturday, January 7, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Missouri -1
Over/Under: O/U 146.5
No 6 Missouri Tigers vs. No. 22 Kansas State Wildcats Preview
In their last games Missouri crushed Oklahoma 87-49 in their Big 12 opener while Kansas State lost to Kansas 67-49.
So far this season Mizzou is 6-3 ATS with an O/U record of 6-3 and KSU is 5-4 with an O/U record of 5-4.
There is no way the Wildcats can get into a high-scoring game with the Tigers’ as they must slow down the game and win the battle of the boards. KSU ranks 12th in the nation in rebounding while Mizzou only ranks 177th.
The Tigers are led by the great backcourt duo of Marcus Denmon (18.8 ppg) and Kim English (15.9 ppg), who are both shooting over 50% from the floor and combined to score 43 points in the easy win over Oklahoma. KSU has their work cut out for them in this game against these 2 and they must not allow them to get in the lane and take easy shots. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
G Rodney McGruder (12.7 ppg) is the leading scorer for the Wildcats and must get over the Kansas game were he was only 5/14 from the floor.
One key player in this game is KSU F Jamar Samuels, who is the 2nd leading scorer for the Wildcats and leading rebounder (7 rpg). He has to help out in the scoring department, but rebounding may be more important.
In the Kansas game KSU was killed on the glass getting out-rebounded 48-24 and they only shot 31.6% from the field. To say they cannot let that happen again is a tad of an understatement.
KSU has not beaten Mizzou since the 2008-2009 season.
Betting Trends
Mizzou is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Over record of 4-0 in their last 4 road games.
Kansas State is e 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. loss, 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a winning road record, and they have an Over record of 9-3 in their last 12 home games.
Jason’s Pick: Mizzou has not covered the spread in their last 7 games facing Kansas State in their house, but that trend will not continue. The Tigers are simply too athletic and even though Fred Bramlage Coliseum is a tough place for opponents’ to play Mizzou will win this game and cover the spread.
