Game Primer: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Kansas State Wildcats at Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks are looking to get back to .500 in conference play, and have in-state rival Kansas State coming to town.

Today is Kansas day, and there is no better way to celebrate it than to have a matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and their in-state rival Kansas State Wildcats. The Jayhawks are looking to bounce back after finishing a brutal stretch of their schedule and a week off, and the Wildcats may be exactly what they need.

Kansas State has been struggling in conference play, but this is a rivalry game. So here is everything you need to know before today's game.

The Numbers

Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are provided by CBB Analytics. CBB Analytics is a new stats website in college hoops, covering both men and women's basketball in D-I, D-II and D-III. You can follow them on Twitter @CBBAnalytics

Kansas: 13-5 (3-4 Big 12): CBB Analytics Net Rating - 45th overall, 86th offense, 35th defense

Kansas State: 13-7 (2-5 Big 12): Net Rating - 103rd overall, 99th offense, 139th defense

Line: KU -8.5

O/U: 136.5

How to Watch

Sunday, January 29th, 5:00 p.m. CST

Lawrence, KS: Allen Fieldhouse

TV: ESPNU

- Brendea VanLengen (Play-by-Play), Holly Warlick (Analyst)

Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network

- Steven Davis (Play-by-Play), David Lawrence (Analyst)

Webcast: Kansas Online Radio

Game Coverage

Follow along during the game for live updates on Twitter.

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Opponent Team Form

The Wildcats are coached by Jeff Mittie, who is in his 9th season at Kansas State. His record at the school is 158-118. Last season, they finished 20-13 overall, including a 9-9 Big 12 record. They finished the season as a 9-seed in the NCAA Tournament, losing to 1-seed NC State in the second round.

This season, the team is shooting just 39.6% overall and 28.6% from three-point range, with a 78.2% average from the free-throw line. They are a moderately paced team that takes a large percentage of their shots from outside the arc, but they have struggled mightily to keep their offensive production up in conference play.slow paced team that gets the majority of their points in the half court. Due to a lack of size inside, they have struggled with rebounding, but especially on the offensive end.

Defensively, they have struggled in the post, but have VERY active hands on the perimeter. They are right in the middle of the country in terms of steals, but they have done well blocking shots. They limit the ability of opponents to freely pass the ball, and while they give up a decent number of second chance opportunities, they don't give up many good looks on those second chances.

Players to Watch

The Wildcats are led by a trio of guards. Senior Gabby Gregory leads the team in scoring with 19.0 points per game and is second in rebounds, with 5.4. Sophomore Serena Sundell is the main ballhandler and leads the team in assists with 5.1, also averaging 11.9 points and 5.1 rebounds. Sophomore Jaelyn Glenn leads the team in rebounds with 5.7 per game and averages 11.9 points.

With Ayoka Lee out for the season due to an injury, the main duties in the post have fallen to senior Sarah Shematsi and Eliza Maupin. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, neither has been extremely effective, which has led to the perimeter-oriented gameplan.

Matchups to Watch

If there was ever a game for the interior players to just go off, this would be the one. Senior center Taiyanna Jackson shouldn't have much of a challenge on the inside, and players that drive into the lane should have the ability to either get right to the basket or dump it off quickly. The expectation is that Ioanna Chatzileonti will be back for this one, which will give the Jayhawks another option to add to the slashing game of Chandler Prater.

But in order to take advantage inside, the perimeter players will need to be able to get it into the middle. The emergence of Wyvette Mayberry as the primary ballhandler has been huge for the Jayhawks, and she will need to stay out of foul trouble in this game. Holly Kersgieter, who has been very streaky shooting recently, will need to be a steady scoring presence. Zakiyah Franklin has shown a huge improvement to getting to the basket, something that should help to keep the perimeter defense of the Wildcats from crowding the three-point line too much.

Prediction

The Jayhawks have had an entire week to stew on the loss against Iowa State, where they squandered a post advantage with a slow start and inconsistent defense on the perimeter. But the Cyclones have a veteran roster and were playing in the friendly confines of Hilton Coliseum.

I expect the Jayhawks to get started quickly, and they should have no shortage of quality opportunities. If they can knock down some shots early, the momentum should build and they will roll. But either way, I expect them to get going and use their advantage in firepower to pull this one out handily.

Kansas 77, Kansas State 61.

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