Cincinnati vs. Kansas State: ATS Betting Prediction for Dec. 30

Cincinnati Bearcats (10-1 SU, 6-5 ATS) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (6-5 SU, 3-8 ATS)

When: Monday, December 30th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Bramlage Coliseum, KS, Manhattan

TV: CBSS

Point Spread: CIN -3.5/KANST +3.5

Total: 140.5

Money Line: Cincinnati Bearcats -157/+126

Notable Injuries

Bearcats

• Connor Hickman (Questionable) Foot
• Tyler McKinley (Out) Leg
• Halvine Dzellat (Out) Redshirt

Wildcats

Recent Form

Cincinnati Bearcats Recent Game/Games

The Bearcats improved to 10-1 on the season with an 84-49 win over Grambling State on Sunday. Playing at home, Cincinnati entered the game as heavy favorites, laying 29 points, and they covered the spread. The total points for the game ended at 133, just under the 136.5-point O/U line.

Cincinnati led 37-24 at halftime and put the game away in the 2nd half, scoring 47 points while holding Grambling State to 25 points.

Kansas State Wildcats Recent Game

The Wildcats fell to 6-5 on the season after an 84-65 road loss to Wichita State on Saturday. Kansas State, favored by 1.5 points going into the game, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

After leading 33-29 at halftime, the Wildcats struggled in the second half, allowing 55 points while scoring just 32. The game’s total points of 149 fell just short of the 151.5 O/U line.

Analysis

Cincinnati put up 84 points in their last game, shooting 46.2% from the field. They connected on 63.6% of their two-point attempts but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 28.1% on 9-of-32 shooting.

Aziz Bandaogo was efficient, going 5-for-6 from the field, while Dillon Mitchell added 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting. The Bearcats also grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and dished out 17 assists in the win.

Despite Cincinnati’s defense allowing 49 points, they gave up a 46% shooting performance, with the opposing team hitting 30 of 65 shots. Inside the arc, Cincinnati’s defense struggled, allowing 63% shooting on 21 of 33 two-point attempts.

From three-point range, Cincinnati’s defense held the opposing team to 28%, with nine made threes on 32 attempts. The Bearcats also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 20 times, where they converted 15 for 75%. Cincinnati allowed 18 offensive rebounds in the game.

Kansas State struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 36.2% from the field and 28.1% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.5%, and they hit only 6 of 15 free throws (40%).

Xavier Bell led the Wildcats with 24 points, shooting 52.9% overall. Macaleab Rich added 20 points, hitting 3 of 5 threes, and Corey Washington contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 75% from the field.

Even with Kansas State’s defense allowing 84 points on 50% shooting, they limited the damage from beyond the arc, where the opposing team hit just four threes on 10 attempts, shooting 40%.

From the free-throw line, Kansas State sent their opponents to the stripe 22 times, where they converted 20 free throws, shooting 90%.

Betting Trends

• In their last five road games, Cincinnati has averaged 70 points per game while allowing 67. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-3 while going 3-2.
• Across the Wildcats last three home games, the team averaged 72 points per game while allowing 87. Their record vs. the spread in these contests was 0-3 while going 0-3 straight-up.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Wildcats have a straight-up record of 2-3 and an ATS mark of 2-3.
• As the betting favorite, the Bearcats have an ATS mark of just 5-5 in their last ten games. Cincinnati posted a straight-up mark of 9-1 in these matchups.

Joe”s Pick To Cover The Spread

The Bearcats put their 10-1 record on the line vs Kansas State. The Wildcats are going to be up for a chance to take down the 17th-ranked team in the nation. However, I see Cincinnati closing this one out, not only winning but also covering the spread. I like the Bearcats at -3.5.