Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang previewed the Drake game
Kansas State basketball coach Jerome Tang previewed the Wildcats’ game Tuesday against Drake.
K-State Athletics
WICHITA — Kansas State basketball turned in an impressive first half at St. John’s and fought back from 20 points down earlier this week against Drake, but came up short both times.
The Wildcats (6-4) need a sustained effort against Wichita State (8-3) on Saturday to salvage something positive from a disappointing nonconference schedule as they break for Christmas before opening Big 12 play Dec. 30 at home against Cincinnati.
The game, scheduled for a 6 p.m. tipoff at Koch Arena, ends a four-game series that saw K-State win the three previous matchups at Wichita’s Intrust Bank Areka in 2021 (65-59), Bramlage Coliseum in 2022 (55-50) and last year in Kansas City (69-60).
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The Wildcats positioned themselves to win against Drake on Tuesday in Kansas City, rallying from a 29-9 first-half deficit to hold for a last shot at the end of regulation. They also scored five straight points at the end of overtime to get even again, only to fall 73-70 when Drake Bennett Stirtz hit a 3-pointer with three seconds left.
Forward David N’Guessan averages 14.1 points and guard Brendan Hausen 14 to lead K-State. For Wichita State, which lost 91-72 at DePaul last Saturday and then fell 74-64 at home to UMKC on Tuesday, guard Justin Hill’s 14.1 points lead the way with Corey Washington adding 12.2.
This section will be updated when the game begins.
Both teams are looking to end two-game losing streaks, but Kansas State is desperate to head into the Big 12 with a victory. The Wildcats came close Tuesday, rallying from a 20-point first-half deficit only to lose to Drake in overtime.
Prediction: Kansas State 76, Wichita State 70
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
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Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
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