Kansas State vs. Villanova: Game preview, TV info, time, lineups and score prediction

The Kansas State men’s basketball team will try to remain undefeated at home when it hosts Villanova at 6 p.m. on Tuesday inside Bramlage Coliseum.

Here’s everything you need to know before tipoff, plus a game prediction:

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Bramlage Coliseum (Manhattan)

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita

Betting line: Villanova by 2.5

Over/Under: 141.5

STARTING LINEUPS

About Villanova (6-3):

The Wildcats are a difficult team to figure out. They have impressive victories over Texas tech, North Carolina and Memphis. They also have puzzling losses to cross-city rivals Penn, Saint Joseph’s and Drexel. Which team will show up for the Big East/Big 12 Challenge? Villanova is led by forward Eric Dixon and guard Justin Moore, who are both averaging more than 14 points per game. The team is strong against two-pointers on defense, allowing teams to shoot 44.5%. But it is weak against the 3-pointer, allowing teams to shoot 36.3%.

About Kansas State (6-2):

Jerome Tang’s team looked far from impressive while struggling to beat Oral Roberts and North Alabama last week. But the Wildcats found a way to both of those games in overtime. They are a perfect 5-0 at home this season. Tylor Perry has led the way with 17.2 points per game, while Cam Carter has been close behind. Senior center Will McNair was benched over the weekend against North Alabama but Tang has said he will be back in the starting lineup on Tuesday.

Prediction:

K-State is coming off a pair of ugly wins. Villanova is coming off a pair of ugly losses.

Neither team will enter this battle of the Wildcats with momentum.

But that doesn’t mean they won’t give fans an entertaining game. Often times in college basketball, teams can get caught looking ahead to certain opponents on their schedule. That can lead to clunkers against mid-major opponents. But it’s usually a sign that those teams will be focused for the big games on their schedules.

I think that will be the case here.

Both Villanova and K-State should play motivated basketball in front of a good crowd in the Big 12, Big East conference challenge. Villanova has proven it can beat quality competition. K-State is always strong at home.

No one should be surprised if this game goes down to the wire.

K-State could have an advantage if that happens. Even though it has not played well of late, it has emerged victorious from every close game it has been involved in this season, with Tylor Perry hitting several clutch shots.

Tang is 8-0 in overtime as a head coach. This team knows how to close out games.

K-State 72, Villanova 70

Last game prediction: K-State 87, North Alabama 68 (Actual: K-State 75, North Alabama 74)

Season Record: 8-0

Season Record ATS: 4-4

Season Record O/U: 7-1