Yahoo Sports KU basketball vs. NC State game prediction: Are Kansas Jayhawks on upset alert again?
Looking to snap a two-game losing streak, the No. 10-ranked Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team plays host to North Carolina State on Saturday.
KU is coming off a loss last Saturday at Missouri, while NC State defeated Coppin State Tuesday.
Here’s a scouting report and prediction for Saturday’s game:
No. 10 Kansas vs. NC State
When/where: 2:15 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence
TV/streaming: ESPN2
Opponent’s record: 7-3
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) Ranking: 78
Betting line: Kansas is a 7.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com, Hoop-Math.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats only include Division I competition.
NC State Strengths
Good offense: NC State ranks No. 80 in adjusted offensive efficiency (100.4). Adjusted offensive efficiency is the amount of points scored per 100 possessions. KU ranks No. 22 in the same metric.
Elite defense: The Wolfpack rank No. 15 in opponent 3-point percentage (27.2).
Beware fouls: NC State ranks No. 74 in free throw rate (38.1%).
NC State Weaknesses
Shooting issues: NC State ranks No. 258 in 3-point percentage (31%) and No. 331 in 3-point rate.
Weak schedule: Don’t be fooled by the Wolfpack’s 7-3 record. Their strength of schedule ranks No. 303.
Struggles at the line: NC State ranks No. 242 in free-throw percentage (70.1%).
North Carolina State Name to Know
6-foot-4 senior guard Marcus Hill (No. 25)
+ Good scorer (13 PPG)
+ Solid rebounder (3.3 rebounds per game)
+ Three straight games with 15+ points
- Bad from the line (shooting 63.6% on free throws)
- Struggling from deep (shooting 28.6% on 3-pointers)
- Not much of a passer (1.7 APG)
Game Prediction
The Jayhawks desperately need a win on Saturday.
KU has lost two straight games and fell from No. 1 to No. 10 in the latest AP poll. Luckily for Kansas, the Jayhawks had a week off to review tape from the loss at Missouri ... and learn from it.
KU matches up very well against this Wolfpack squad. NC State doesn’t take (or make) enough 3-pointers to keep up with the Jayhawks’ offense. The Wolfpack also don’t convert enough free throws when they get to the line.
NC State’s biggest strength is its 3-point defense, but that’s mitigated by KU ranking No. 323 in 3-point rate.
This should be a Jayhawks blowout.
Kansas 83, NC State 68
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Kansas (-7.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 7-2
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 2-7
KU Player to Watch: AJ Storr
Wisconsin transfer AJ Storr has had a rough start to the season. His performance has not met expectations, and he has lacked consistency.
He’s shown flashes of good play on both ends of the court but has yet to put together a complete game.
Storr’s defense against Missouri was good, but his offense left something to be desired. Let’s see if he can get on track against the Wolfpack.
