Big 12 Quarterfinals
Colorado Buffaloes vs Kansas St Wildcats Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
Thursday, March 10, 2011, 3:00 pm Eastern, TV: MASN, Altitude
Opening Line: Kansas St -5 1/2
Current Line: Kansas St -7 1/2
Opening Total: 148
Current Total: 148
Money Line: Kansas St -330 / Colorado +270
Just about a month ago, Kansas St was almost dead and buried. They were 16-9 and 4-6 in the Big 12. They were coming off a 58-56 loss at Colorado and were in danger of missing the NCAA tournament. There were signs the team had quit on abrasive coach Frank Martin. However something changed in their next game and the Wildcats began to live up to the potential of their pre-season #3 ranking. The Wildcats beat #1 Kansas in a nationally televised game 84-68. The Wildcats have since won 6 games in a row including wins over Missouri and Texas. The Wildcats have improved their record to 22-9 and 10-6 in conference and are now projected to be a sixth seed in the NCAA tournament. They are one of the hottest teams in the country and now they take on Colorado in a rematch in Kansas City for the Big 12 quarterfinals. both teams beat Iowa St in their last games out. Kansas St won at home versus the Cyclones 67-55 in the regular season finale. Colorado escaped with a 77-75 victory over Iowa St in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. Colorado is 20-12 on the season and 8-8 in conference. They are projected to be one of the last 4 teams into the NCAA tournament but another upset over Kansas St will certainly help their cause. The Buffaloes are 2-0 against Kansas St this season as they beat them in Manhattan January 12 74-66.
Before this season Kansas St had won 4 in a row versus Colorado but Colorado is 4-2 ATS in those six games. Kansas St leads the overall series against Colorado 96-46 including 10-3 on neutral site courts.
Colorado has no significant injuries right now. The Buffaloes have four players averaging double digit scoring led by Guard Alec Burks. Burks is averaging 19.8 points to lead the team, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists a game to also lead the team. Guard Cory Higgins averages 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1 steals a game. Levi Knutson averages 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1 assist a game. Forward Marcus Relphorde averages 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Guard Andre Roberson leads the team in rebounds with 7.7, steals with 1.4 a game, and blocks with 1.1 a game. Colorado is outscoring opponents 79-73 on the season. The Buffs are shooting 46.8% from the field and 37.3% from 3 point range. Colorado opponents are shooting 44.6% from the field. The Buffaloes make 78.1% of their free throws. Colorado averages 36.2 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +2.8. The Buffs average 13.4 assists and 11.8 turnovers a game. They force 13.9 turnovers a game on defense. Colorado averages 6.8 steals and 3 blocks a game.
Kansas St forwards Wally Judge and Freddy Asprilla have left the team. Forward Curtis Kelly missed the first three games due to injury for the Wildcats then was later suspended 6 games. He is under investigation for an undisclosed violation of K-State’s student-athlete guidelines. Guard Jacob Pullen leads the Wildcats in scoring, assists, and steals despite missing 3 games of his own due to a suspension. He averages 19.6 points, 3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. Guard Rodney McGruder averages 11.4 points, 6.2 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.5 assists a game. Kelly is averaging 10 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and leads the team in blocks with 1.4 a game. Forward Jamar Samuels averages 8.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists a game. Kansas St is outscoring opponents 73-65 on the season. The Wildcats shoot 43.9% from the field and 37.8% from 3-point range. Wildcat opponents are shooting 41.5% from the field. K-State struggles from the free throw line making only 64.4% of their free throws. The Wildcats average 38.3 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +7.2. The Wildcats average 14.1 assists and 15.1 turnovers a game. They force 15.8 turnovers a game on defense. The Wildcats average 6.3 steals and 4.8 blocks a game.
The main reason why Kansas St is playing so much better is defense. The Wildcats were giving up 68 points a game before the victory over Kansas. However they have shaved 3 points a game off that total and are only giving up 65 points a game. The Wildcats have also lowered their opponents shooting percentage from the field from 42% to 41%. Not a lot but it does make a difference. I think Kansas St wants to avenge 2 losses to a team they feel they are better than. Colorado hangs around and keeps it close nut Kansas St covers late.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in 2011. Don’t miss out on any more winners this season.
