Game Primer & LIVE Blog: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Kansas State at Kansas

Everything you need to know before the Jayhawks host the Wildcats for the second Sunflower Showdown of the season, plus LIVE updates.

The Kansas Jayhawks had their winning streak broken earlier this week when they went on the road to Waco, but today they are back in the friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse to take on a familiar foe: The Kansas State Wildcats. Kansas State has lost their last three road games and are looking to break that streak with a win today to sweep the season series for the first time since the 2020 season.

The Wildcats are led by 10th-year head coach Jeff Mittie, who has a 187-131 record at the school. He is 17-4 against the Jayhawks in his time in Manhattan.

The Wildcats lead the all-time series 80-50, including a 33-28 record in Lawrence. However, the Jayhawks have won the last three matchups in Lawrence.

Check out the essentials below, and then come join us for LIVE updates during the game. We'll hit on everything that is happening around this matchup:

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: 15-11 (8-7 Big 12): CBB Analytics Adjusted Net Rating - 64th overall, 55th offense, 76th defense

#10 Kansas State: 23-4 (11-3 Big 12): Net Rating - 12th overall, 46th offense, 2nd defense

Line: KSU -4.5

O/U: 129.5

How to Watch

Sunday, February 25th, 1:00 p.m. CST

Lawrence, KS: Allen Fieldhouse

TV: ESPN2

- Brenda VanLengen (Play-by-Play), Nikki Vargas (Analyst)

Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network

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

Webcast: Kansas Online Radio

Game Coverage

Come join the conversation in the Blue Wings Rising Discord Server.

Opponent Team Form

The Wildcats have really had two seasons, one without Ayoka Lee and one with her. And until recently, you might say that they played better without Lee than with her.

For the season, Kansas State is the 12th-best team in the nation, which they have accomplished with efficient shooting and avoiding turnovers offensively while suffocating teams on the defensive end. They don't force a ton of turnovers, but they keep things slow so that the huge discrepancy in shooting percentages can make the lead feel insurmountable.

But in the last 5 games, quite a few things have changed. The efficiency offensively has slipped by a full five percentage points. The offensive rebounding has gone from ok to non-existent, and while they are forcing a few more turnovers, they've been much less efficient at capitalizing on those turnovers with points. Defensively, they are still fantastic, but they have struggled in defending the paint. 

Players to Watch

Ayoka Lee - 6'6" Senior Forward

Season: 20.5 pts, 8.2 rebs, 0.7 asts, 1.0 stls, 2.9 blks, 65.4% 2P%
Last 5 (2 games): 27.0 pts, 9.0 rebs, 1.0 asts, 0.5 stls, 4.5 blks, 52.6% 2P%

The return of Lee from her injury has been almost as big of the story of the team's performance in her absence. But her return gives them a dominating presence on the inside.  While she has stepped up her production since she has been back, they're has been a pretty big hit to the efficiency of those numbers.  But it feels like it is only a matter of time. 

Serena Sundell - 6'1" Junior Guard

Season: 11.9 pts, 4.1 rebs, 5.3 asts, 2.1 stls, 0.4 blks, 61.3% 2P%
Last 5: 14.2 pts, 2.4 rebs, 6.0 asts, 1.4 stls, 1.2 blks 64.1% 2P%

Sundell might be the real star on this team. Her offense is all about taking good shots and helping others take good shots.  And don't let her gaudy shooting percentage from inside the arc obscure the fact that she is a real threat from the perimeter as well. 

Gabby Gregory - 6'0" Senior Guard

Season: 9.0 pts, 3.6 rebs, 3.5 asts, 0.5 stls, 0.4 blks, 47.3% 2P%
Last 5: 9.2 pts, 3.8 rebs, 3.4 asts, 0.4 stls, 0.2 blks, 60.0% 2P%

While Gregory's production hasn't increased significantly, her efficiency has. Plus, I needed a really good reason to talk about this:

I love seeing the Baby Gap Goat’s at the games so I created a list on my Amazon store front with everything you’ll need to have one of your own!🐐

https://t.co/gj4mHjtAXK pic.twitter.com/j7dYzlMYD0

— gabby gregory (@gabbygregory12) January 5, 2024

Matchups to Watch

The battle down low between Lee and Taiyanna Jackson is going to be fascinating today, especially since both players were absent from the game in Manhattan. Lee still seems to be rounding into pre-injury form, while Jackson has been able to dominate at home when she isn't in foul trouble. The game within the game of managing foul trouble and setting up good matchups will be absolutely huge in this one.

On the perimeter, Holly Kersgieter is going to have to get it going again. She struggled against Baylor on the road, but she has been electric at home. While her play won't determine the game on its own, they can't be missing that critical piece of offense if they want to break down the Wildcat defense.

Prediction

Kansas plays so much better at home than on the road, and Kansas State has struggled a bit recently, especially with good teams at their home arenas. I think Kansas can contain Lee, but probably not stop her, and they get enough from the perimeter to pull out a tight win.

Kansas 64, Kansas State 63.