Utah Faces Kansas State in Critical Big 12 Showdown

Salt Lake City, Utah — The Utah Utes will look to capitalize on their recent upset victory when they host the Kansas State Wildcats on Monday night at Jon M. Huntsman Center. The matchup follows Utah’s impressive 74-67 win over then-No. 17 Kansas, which snapped a two-game losing streak for the Utes.

Utah (14-11, 6-8 Big 12) triumphed as a 6.5-point underdog against Kansas, leveraging a strong first-half performance to never trail after halftime. Senior guard Gabe Madsen led the Utes with 24 points and hit five three-pointers, becoming the school’s all-time leader with 288 career 3-pointers.

Madsen’s record-breaking feat surpassed the previous mark of 287 set by Nick Jacobson. Adding to the team’s performance, sophomore forward Ezra Ausur recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while junior forward Lawson Lovering scored 12 points and grabbed eight boards.

On the other hand, Kansas State (13-12, 7-7 Big 12) is seeking to bounce back after an 80-65 loss to BYU on Saturday, which ended a six-game winning streak that had put them back in NCAA Tournament contention. Notable victories during that stretch included wins over four ranked opponents.

Kansas State’s leading scorer, senior guard Zeke Mayo, averages 12.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, supported by junior guards Desi Sills and Tykei Greene, who follow closely in scoring with 11.8 and 11.4 points per game, respectively. The Wildcats have enjoyed recent betting success, covering the spread in nine of their last 10 games.

The clash between Utah and Kansas State marks their first meeting since 1983, making it a significant matchup for both teams as they navigate the competitive landscape of the Big 12. The tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET, with Utah favored by 1.5 points according to the latest odds.

Sports analysts are highlighting this game as an important moment for Utah, especially after their recent success, which has propelled them to a six-game winning streak on Mondays. Conversely, Kansas State has struggled on the road, holding a dismal 2-16 record in their last 18 away games. However, the Wildcats’ previous performance this season against top-ranked teams has given them confidence as they approach this encounter.

As for statistical trends, the Utes are currently 6-13 against the spread (ATS) in their last 19 outings, while Kansas State has a much more favorable recent record, going 11-13 ATS overall.

With both teams vying for a crucial victory, Monday’s matchup promises to be a thrilling display of college basketball talent, providing fans with an exhilarating preview of what’s to come in the final stretch of the season.