Free Pick | NCAA | Sunday | Feb. 1

#832 Kansas State +13 over Iowa State 1:00 PM CT
Kansas State has only one Big XII win this season but close losses have been common with five defeats by 10 or fewer points. The Wildcats have already faced BYU, Arizona, and Kansas in the Big XII schedule. Iowa State’s 6-2 start in league play has not featured Arizona, Houston, or BYU yet as none of Iowa State’s conference wins are against top 40 teams. Iowa State has struggled with free throws this season and the Cyclones are just 2-2 S/U on the road in conference play. Iowa State did win the regular season finale last season in Manhattan for the team’s first road win at Kansas State since a one-point win in 2022. Iowa State enters this game coming off a 30-point blowout win on Thursday against Colorado but in the Big XII numbers free throw shooting and turnovers have been problems for the Cyclones and the schedule will stiffen in February as Iowa State isn’t likely to holds its current ranking and placement in the Big XII picture. The contrasting pace of play for these teams makes the underdog more appealing while this line is nearly twice as high as last season’s meeting in March. The incomplete roster situation for Kansas State is impactful but Iowa State’s slow pace and reliance on outside shooting could still make this significant spread difficult to reach and the market has pushed this underdog price to an appealing level for Sunday with Kansas State coming off a competing well in a tight defensive battle while shorthanded on the road on Tuesday.

February is historically the strongest basketball month for Nelly’s!