Today’s college basketball schedule features several matchups between power conference teams, led by Texas Tech vs. Purdue and Wisconsin vs. BYU. But a lot of eyes should also be on Kansas City for Nebraska vs. Kansas State, the championship game of the Hall of Fame Classic (9:30 p.m. ET, Peacock).
The Cornhuskers and Wildcats both enter tonight’s matchup at T-Mobile Center at 5-0. Nebraska moved to that mark and advanced to the championship contest with an 84-72 win over New Mexico, while Kansas State rolled Mississippi State 98-77 to stay perfect.
Points have been no problem for either team thus far. Kansas State is averaging 94.4 points per game and has scored 90+ points four times, while Nebraska is averaging 88 points per game and has scored 80+ points four times.
Shooting the ball well, both from outside and closer to the basket, has been key. Kansas State made 14 threes in last night’s battering of the Bulldogs, is averaging 11.2 made threes per game, and is shooting 45.9% from three and 53.8% from the field overall. Nebraska, meanwhile, made 13 threes against the Lobos, is averaging 12.2 made threes per game and is shooting 38.1% from three and 49.4% overall from the field.
Will the early offensive success continue tonight for both the Cornhuskers and Wildcats? Read on for our Nebraska vs. Kansas State prediction and best bets. Also, get the best betting odds from top online sportsbooks such as BetOnline.
Nebraska vs. Kansas State Prediction and Best Bets
Prediction: Kansas State to win
Both the Huskers and Wildcats currently land somewhere around the bubble, according to March Madness bracket projections by major college basketball media. For example, in ESPN’s most recent bracketology update (on Tuesday, so prior to last night’s games), Nebraska was listed as one of the last four teams, while Kansas State was listed as one of the first four teams out.
And both have already notched wins over teams who could also end up somewhere around the bubble. The Oklahoma team that Nebraska defeated 105-99 last Saturday is currently in ESPN’s “Next Four Out,” while Mississippi State was their first team out prior to last night’s result.
Tonight’s game could earn the winner another valuable point with those projections in mind, but early returns indicate that both teams could potentially outplay them.
Between impact transfers and returnees (including a returnee who is an impact transfer in Jamarques Lawrence, who transferred back to Lincoln, where he played his first two seasons, after a season at Rhode Island), the Huskers appear to have similar balance to the 2023-24 team, which ended the program’s decade-long March Madness drought.
That balance will take them a long way if it continues, but for tonight’s game, K-State has the X-factor in P.J. Haggerty.
Haggerty, who had 37 points last night, is playing out of his mind right now, and I think he will continue this run and deliver another W for the Wildcats.
It should be a fast-paced game in Kansas City, but I think that will favor K-State. Nebraska showed it could shoot its way back into a game against Oklahoma, but I don’t see it panning out as well for the Huskers tonight if they find themselves behind the Wildcats early.
Nebraska vs. Kansas State Picks
1) Nebraska/Kansas State Over 169 (-110 at BetOnline)
The sample sizes are still rather small, but both teams have been playing fast offensively thus far and should hit the 80-point mark at minimum. I expect 170+, with 180+ a real possibility.
2) Nebraska/Kansas State First Half Over 81 (-103 at BetOnline)
This is a high total, but I like this number. Things can easily go the wrong way when you need two teams to score at a high enough rate to hit an 80+ total, but I don’t think we’ll see either team be cold enough for that to happen.
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