Houston vs. Kansas State odds, line, time: 2024 college basketball picks, Jan. 27 predictions by top model
Jerome Tang and the Kansas State Wildcats look to do something on Saturday that no team has done in 2023-24. Kansas State visits the Fertitta Center to take on the No. 4 Houston Cougars, where Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars are unbeaten at home this season, helping Houston to post a 17-2 overall record. Both teams are 4-2 in Big 12 action, with Kansas State bringing a 14-5 record that includes a win over No. 15 Baylor.
For this game, SportsLine consensus lists Houston as a 15-point favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 128 in the latest Kansas State vs. Houston odds. Before you make any Houston vs. Kansas State picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 12 of the 2023-24 season on a 114-73 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,000 for $100 players. It is also off to a sizzling 19-5 start on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Houston vs. Kansas State and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Kansas State vs. Houston:
- Kansas State vs. Houston spread: Houston -15
- Kansas State vs. Houston over/under: 128 points
- Kansas State vs. Houston money line: HOU -1600, KSU +892
- Kansas State: The Wildcats are 4-2 against the spread in Big 12 games
- Houston: The Cougars are 7-3-1 against the spread in home games
- Kansas State vs. Houston picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Kansas State can cover
The Wildcats are playing well on both ends of the court this season. Kansas State is allowing only 96.6 points per 100 possessions on defense, holding opponents to 45% on 2-pointers and 31.6% on 3-pointers. The Wildcats have a 12.2% block rate, and Kansas State forces a turnover on 18.6% of defensive possessions. On offense, Cam Carter and Arthur Kaluma are each averaging more than 15 points per game, and Carter has scored at least 12 points in 13 consecutive outings. Kaluma also leads the team with 7.6 rebounds per game, and he is converting more than 40% of 3-point attempts.
As a team, Kansas State is excellent on the offensive glass, securing 35.7% of missed shots. The Wildcats are also solidly above the national average in assists per game (15.2) and free throw creation (21.3 attempts per game). See which team to pick here.
Why Houston can cover
Sampson's team is known for its defense and for good reason. However, the Cougars are also effective on offense, scoring more than 1.15 points per possession. Houston is a top-10 offensive rebounding team in the country, securing almost 40% of missed shots, and the Cougars commit a turnover on only 14.2% of offensive possessions. The Cougars are also shooting 35.4% from 3-point range, and veteran guard LJ Cryer is leading the team on the offensive end. Cryer was an All-Big 12 selection a season ago at Baylor, and he is averaging 15.6 points per game while shooting 39.6% from 3-point range. He is also coming off a 23-point game with five 3-pointers in Houston's last victory over BYU.
On the defensive side, Houston has the best defensive metrics in the nation. The Cougars are No. 1 in the country in opponent field goal percentage, opponent 2-point percentage, block rate, points allowed per game, and points allowed per possession. Opponents are also committing a turnover on more than one-quarter of offensive possessions against Houston this season, and the Cougars allow only 28.0% 3-point shooting. See which team to pick here.
How to make Houston vs. Kansas State picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, with 11 players projected to score more than five points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
