This is a play on the KANSAS ST. WILDCATS for our Thursday Free Play. Kansas St. is coming off a disappointing 16-win season and the Wildcats have made changes coming into this season. Head coach Jerome Tang hired two new assistant coaches who he has worked with before so that familiarity is huge. They also nailed the transfer portal as they brought in five double-digit scorers with four hitting the starting lineup and the fifth, Marcus Johnson, could see the court after missing the first two games. Kansas St. has rolled over its two inferior opponents and while they take a step up in competition here, it is not a major step and this is the first of two home games in the five days before the Hall of Fame Classic and then going to Indiana. California is off to a 3-0 start with three home wins all of which it was favored by at least 15 points so this is the first real test for the Golden Bears as well. They are coming off a 14-win season which actually is tied with the 2019-20 team for the most wins since 2016-17 so it has been a near decade of futility. There are not many expectations this season as they are picked No. 15 in the 18-team ACC and are already playing short-handed as DJ Campbell, one of two returning starters, has yet to see the floor and is doubtful again tonight. Here, we play on home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points after a blowout win by 20 points or more going up against an opponent after leading in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half. This situation is 81-35 ATS (69.8 percent) since 2022. Play (760) Kansas St. Wildcats