Kansas State Wildcats @ Texas Longhorns ESPN Monday Night Basketball

Kansas State Wildcats @ Texas Longhorns ESPN Monday Night Basketball: Kansas State started conference play with disappointment after being ranked in the Top 5. They came out of the gates 4-6 in conference, and unranked, but they’ve turned it around. A big win over (then ranked) #1 Kansas was followed by an easy win over Oklahoma and a 4 point victory on the road over a tough Nebraska team. Now they’re 7-6, and a spot in the tournament is near. But this week will be tough! First they play #21 Missouri and on Monday they get this game, at #5 Texas. If they can take down #1 and #5, they won’t just be in the tournament; they’ll have a good match-up early. But what about Texas?

The Longhorns have shown they can be as good as or better than any team in the country. Since a bad loss to USC back on December 5th, the Longhorns have lost just twice in 20 games, a 1 point loss to Kemba Walker in overtime, and a 3-point loss to Nebraska last week – that was before this weekend where they blew a 22-point first half lead on way to a loss in Colorado. But that might just add to their toughness, usually after an embarrassing loss like that, a good team comes out and dominates. They’ll be tough to beat at home, so this game should be great.

I’m really wavering on this game, and it’s a tough call for me for certain. But even with a lot to prove after that big loss, and playing at home where they’re great, against a 4-5 (on the road) Kansas State team, I still think 9 is too much. The Wildcats have been playing really tough basketball, and this is still the team that was a pre-season Top 5 group. Jacob Pullen is on fire, and I think he can keep K-State within 9 – even against one of the best teams in college basketball.

Kansas State Wildcats (+9) @ #5 Texas Longhorns (2/28) (ESPN)