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Last year, the SEC actually tied the Big 12. That was partly K-State’s fault. This year, we’ll hope to be blameless for any failure.
The game
Kansas State (15-5, 5-3 Big 12) hosts the Georgia Bulldogs (12-7, 3-5 Big 12) in the Big 12-SEC Challenge. This is also a Coaches vs Cancer game and a Stripe-Out, with $5 from the sale of each $15 t-shirt going to the American Cancer Society.
This is the fourth meeting between the two schools, with the Cats leading 2-1. Last time out, in Athens, K-State won on Dean Wade’s buzzer-beater two years ago; the year before, the Dawgs won in Manhattan. This is, however, the first time the schools have met as part of the Challenge.
Mark Fox, former Wildcat assistant, is still in charge at Georgia. His main weapon is preseason SEC Player of the Year Yante Maten , a projected lottery pick who’s averaging just under 20 points a game and just under 10 boards. Keeping him contained will be job one.
Odds
The Wildcats are a commanding 7½-point favorite, while the total is an absurdly low 134½. A 71-63 win for K-State is, therefore, the Vegas expectation. OddsShark agrees with the overall premise, although giving Georgia more respect; they’re projecting a 73-70 win for the Cats.
Tipoff
Saturday, January 27 at 1:00pm CT, Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) in Manhattan, Kansas.
Tickets
Increased prices today due to the Challenge: $25, four for $75, $50 chairback.
Television
ESPNU with Mark Neely and Brynden Manzer.
Radio
K-State Sports Network, with Wyatt Thompson and Stan Weber, also available via satellite on Sirius 132/XM 199. In Georgia, it’s Scott Howard and Chuck Dowdle on the Georgia Network.
Online
Video streaming via ESPN3. Audio streaming via K-State and via the TuneIn app. Live stats via Sidearm.