Kansas State Wildcats vs Houston Cougars Picks and Predictions January 11th 2025

No. 12 Houston’s Elite Defense Faces K-State’s Offensive Struggles

No. 12 Houston will bring its top-ranked defense to Manhattan, Kan., on Saturday evening, presenting a daunting challenge for Kansas State. The Cougars (11-3, 3-0 Big 12) are riding a wave of defensive dominance, while the Wildcats (7-7, 1-2) are searching for answers on offense.

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Houston’s Lockdown Defense

The Cougars lead the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 54.0 points per game, a full three points better than the second-ranked team, Tennessee. This defensive prowess has fueled their seven-game streak of holding opponents to 55 points or fewer, their best since 1948-49.

Houston forced 19 turnovers in a commanding 65-46 win over TCU on Monday, converting them into 16 points. Head coach Kelvin Sampson praised the defensive effort but emphasized the need for continued improvement, particularly on offense.

“Our defense is our defense,” Sampson said. “Other teams’ coaches and players realize how good it is, but there’s a lack of appreciation about it. We’re not very good when we get comfortable, and our ball movement needs to be sharper.”

Houston’s top scorer, L.J. Cryer (14.3 points per game), played through flu-like symptoms against TCU but is expected to be available against Kansas State.

Kansas State’s Offensive Challenges

The Wildcats have struggled offensively, failing to score more than 71 points in their last six games, during which they’ve gone 1-5. Turnovers have been a glaring issue; K-State committed 19 turnovers in a 72-61 loss to Oklahoma State on Tuesday, leading to 31 points for the Cowboys.

Head coach Jerome Tang stressed the importance of reducing live-ball turnovers, which make defensive recoveries nearly impossible:
“When you turn the ball over, there’s no defense for that,” Tang said.

K-State’s turnover margin of 0.43 ranks 14th in the Big 12, a glaring weakness against a Houston team that excels at capitalizing on mistakes.

Calls for Accountability

Forward Coleman Hawkins emphasized the need for improved discipline and energy, pointing out that even small lapses—such as lackluster warmups—can set the tone for poor performances.

“Everyone needs to take a bigger jump of discipline,” Hawkins said.

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Key Matchups

• Houston’s Defense vs. K-State Turnovers: The Cougars thrive on forcing errors, while the Wildcats must limit mistakes to have a chance.
• L.J. Cryer vs. K-State Defense: Cryer is a reliable scorer for Houston and will test Kansas State’s ability to contain perimeter threats.
• K-State Energy and Execution: The Wildcats must avoid flat starts and find ways to generate offense against the Cougars’ stifling defense.

What’s at Stake

For Houston, maintaining its defensive dominance is key to continuing its unbeaten Big 12 run. For Kansas State, a win would not only snap a tough stretch but also signal a turning point in their season.

This matchup pits a disciplined defensive powerhouse against a team in need of offensive cohesion, setting the stage for a pivotal Big 12 clash.