Kentucky vs Kansas State Picks, Odds & Spread – UK Favored by 2 points on March 19

• Kentucky battles Kansas State in March Madness round-of-32 action on Sunday, March 19th
• Kansas State is 15-5 ATS in its last 20 games against teams with a winning record
• Read below for the Kentucky vs Kansas State odds, picks, and best bets

It’s Wildcat on Wildcat crime as Kentucky (22-11, 12-6 SEC) meets Kansas State (24-9-16, 11-7 Big 12) in second round NCAA tournament action. Be sure to get all your Kentucky vs Kansas State bets in early, as this one gets underway at 2:40 pm ET on CBS.

John Calipari’s #6 seed Kentucky Wildcats defeated #11 Providence 61-53 in Friday night’s first round. The #3 Kansas State Wildcats beat up on #14 Montana State in a 77-65 victory.

Kentucky vs Kansas State tips off from the Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday, March 19th, at 2:40 pm ET.

Kentucky vs Kansas State Odds

Kentucky enters as 2-point favorites over Kansas State in Sunday’s college basketball odds. Kentucky are -130 moneyline favorites, while Kansas State comes back as +110 underdogs. The total for Kentucky vs Kansas State currently sits at 146.

The winner will face either #2 Marquette or #7 Michigan State in the Sweet 16 of the March Madness bracket.

Odds as of March 18th at DraftKings Sportsbook. Get all of the best March Madness betting promos.

Dominant Tshiebwe Leads Kentucky

Oscar Tshiebwe is a one-man wrecking crew. The two-time All-American dominated the paint against Providence, pulling down 25 rebounds and helping the Wildcats control the game. Tshiebwe added 8 points for the Wildcats, while senior guard Antonio Reeves poured in 22 points to send John Calipari’s team to the second round.

From the Congo to @KentuckyMBB

Oscar Tshiebwe's journey to becoming one of college basketball's biggest stars 🤩

📺: Southern Hoops Part 7 | 9 PM ET pic.twitter.com/GcSm8MCYjj

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 13, 2023

Tshiebwe’s 25 rebounds represent the most in an NCAA tournament game since 1977. Crucially, he hauled in 11 offensive rebounds, giving his team a number of chances at second-chance points. Although Kentucky has struggled to shoot the ball this season, the Wildcats’ interior dominance provides a foundation for success.

Kentucky is now 6-2 ATS in their past 8 games. Additionally, the Wildcats have gone 15-8 as moneyline favorites this season. Though they are only slight favorites on Sunday, John Calipari-led squads are always a tough out in the NCAA tournament.

Can Kansas State Pull off the Upset?

Kansas State got contributions from all over the place as the Wildcats topped Montana State for their first NCAA tournament win since 2018 on Friday. Five-foot-eight senior guard Markquis Nowell put up 17 points with an exceptional 14 assists to lead Kansas State to victory. Four players scored in double figures for Kansas State.

All about the angle #KStateMBB x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/5qRfODb5k3

— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 18, 2023

Kansas State’s defense has been suffocating at times this season, allowing just 94.2 points per 100 possessions per KenPom. Nonetheless, Kansas State was 219th in offensive rebounding % allowed this season, according to KenPom. Failure to control the defensive glass could be their downfall against Kentucky.

Interestingly, K-State’s last March Madness victory before Friday was a win over Kentucky to make the Elite Eight way back in 2018. Kansas State is 21-12 ATS this season.

Kentucky vs Kansas State Prediction

Kansas State will have to limit Oscar Tshiebwe’s rebounding dominance to have any chance at pulling off the upset. There’s a reason Kentucky’s odds jumped all the way from +4500 to +2500 in the odds to win the NCAA tournament after Friday’s contest.

Kentucky will lean on their rebounding and defense to slow down Kansas State’s blistering pace. It’s tough to envision anyone shutting down Tshiebwe’s physicality. Look for Kentucky to control the tempo and cover the 2-point spread with ease.

Kentucky vs Kansas State Pick: Kentucky -2 (-110)

March Madness second-round predictions:

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• Michigan State vs Marquette Predictions & Odds