The Kansas State Wildcats and BYU Cougars continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Feb. 15th, 2025, in Provo, Utah.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. central on ESPN+. Both Kansas State (13-11, 7-6 in Big 12) and BYU (16-8, 7-6) are unranked.
Saturday’s matchup in Provo has some massive implications for the NCAA Tournament bubble with both teams falling on either side of the bubble in Joe Lunardi’s latest tournament projection. The Cougars remain in the field as the fourth-to-last team in, while the Wildcats continue their incredible tear toward post-season play as the field’s 73rd-ranked team.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch Kansas State vs. BYU
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN+
Site: Marriott Center, Provo, Utah
BYU vs. Kansas State Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: BYU -6.5
Current Line: BYU -7.5
Over/Under: 147.5 (Opened at 146.5)
BYU vs. Kansas State Predictions
While BYU enters the game as the overwhelming favorite, it’s safe to say that Jerome Tang and the Kansas State Wildcats pose an immense threat. The unit is the hottest team in America, winning six-straight, with wins over No. 23 West Virginia, No. 3 Iowa State, No. 16 Kansas, and No. 13 Arizona, in the stretch.
Two key players to note in the matchup are the reigning Big 12 Player of the Week, David N’Guessan, and rising star guard Dug McDaniel. N’Guessan has blossomed into a star in 2024-25, leading the Wildcats in scoring and in rebounding. Over his past three games, the Netherlands native is averaging 19.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. As for McDaniel, he’s been lethal in multiple phases, averaging 15.3 points, 7.6 assists, and six rebounds per game in the same stretch.
On the opposite side of the court, two players to watch for Kevin Young’s squad are Richie Saunders and Egor Demin, who continue to take steps forward in conference play. An impressive cast of athletes joins them, as the Cougars feature six different players averaging more than seven points per contest. Demin led the Cougars past West Virginia in their last outing by going 6-12 from the field with 16 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
When looking at statistics, it’s tough to say that BYU has a massive advantage in the game simply due to the drastic changes that Kansas State has undergone. Still, they remain one of the league’s best offenses, averaging 79.8 points per game in an incredible environment at the Marriott Center. It would take another remarkable performance from an already-weathered group, but it’s tough to bet against the Wildcats right now.
Kansas State 75, BYU 69
ESPN Matchup Predictor: BYU (78.4% Chance of Winning)
Odds Shark: BYU 77, Kansas State 71
