Utah Utes vs Kansas State Wildcats Picks and Predictions for Tuesday January 20 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 01/20/2026, 07:10 AM ET

The Utah Utes travel to Manhattan, Kansas to face the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with tip-off scheduled for 9:00 PM EST. This Big 12 Conference matchup will be televised on CBSSN. At the time of publication, the moneyline odds were unavailable when this prediction was written, while the total is set at 170.5 with both the over and under priced at -110. The spread lists Kansas State as an 8.5-point home favorite at -108, with Utah getting +8.5 at -112. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily college hoops betting insight.

Utes Look to Rebound Away from Salt Lake City:

Utah enters this matchup with a 9-9 overall record and has struggled to find consistency on the road this season. Over their last five games, the Utes have recently won over TCU, while also recently losing to Texas Tech, BYU, Colorado, and Arizona. That stretch reflects a team that can compete offensively but has had difficulty sustaining defensive intensity against stronger opponents.

From a statistical standpoint, Utah is averaging 80.3 points per game while allowing 81.0 points per contest. The Utes are shooting 47% from the field and averaging 14.2 assists per game, showing decent efficiency but limited ball movement compared to other Big 12 teams.

One area where Utah can make an impact is inside the paint. The Utes average 3.3 blocks per game and can alter shots defensively when locked in, but defensive breakdowns on the perimeter have often negated that advantage.

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Wildcats Aim to Halt the Slide at Home:

Kansas State comes into this game with an identical 9-9 overall record and will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak. In their last five games, the Wildcats have recently lost to Oklahoma State, UCF, Arizona State, Arizona, and BYU. Several of those losses were competitive, but Kansas State has struggled to close games late.

Offensively, the Wildcats are averaging 85.5 points per game while allowing 80.3 points on the defensive end. They are shooting 47% from the field and averaging 19.2 assists per game, a sign of strong ball movement and an offense that can score from multiple areas of the floor.

Kansas State’s biggest strength is its ability to generate offense through passing. The Wildcats average 6.9 steals per game and often turn defensive pressure into transition opportunities, especially when playing in front of the home crowd at Bramlage Coliseum.