Kansas State vs. Florida Atlantic Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Kansas State Wildcats are just one win away from their first Final Four appearance since 1964. Kansas State is making its third Elite Eight appearance of the 21st Century this weekend, and the Wildcats are facing a small school Cinderella for the third time. In 2010, Kansas State lost to Butler with a spot in the Final Four on the line, and the Wildcats fell to Loyola Chicago in 2018.

This time the Wildcats will be taking on the Florida Atlantic Owls who are making just their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Although Kansas State is the much bigger name, the Wildcats are a very short favorite by the CBB betting odds against the Owls.

Either the Kansas State Wildcats or the Florida Atlantic Owls will be the first team to punch their ticket to the Final Four this weekend. These teams will meet on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 6:09 p.m. ET on TBS from Madison Square Garden in New York City for the East Regional Final.

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Prediction

At this point, Markquis Nowell is one of the favorites to be named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. Nowell set an NCAA Tournament record with 19 assists in Kansas State's overtime victory over Michigan State on Thursday night, and his alley-oop to Keyontae Johnson with under a minute left put the Wildcats up for good. However, Florida Atlantic is a team on a mission, and there is a reason the Owls are only a two-point underdog in this game. Although Nowell will have the crowd at his back as a Harlem native, look for Florida Atlantic to make the Final Four.

Best Bet: Florida Atlantic +2 (-110)
Score Prediction: Florida Atlantic 73, Kansas State 68

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Odds

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Resources

Date: Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023
TV-Time: TBS, 6:09 p.m. ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden
Location: New York, NY
Matchup
Expert Picks

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Stats

Kansas State Wildcats
SU: 26-9
ATS: 23-12
O/U: 19-16
PPG: 76.2
OPPG: 69.6

Florida Atlantic Owls
SU: 34-3
ATS: 23-11-1
O/U: 17-17-1
PPG: 78
OPPG: 64.8

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS), Over-Under (O/U)
Points Per Game (PPG), Opponents Points Per Game (OPPG)

Kansas State Wildcats Betting Analysis

It's been an incredible March Madness for Markquis Nowell. The fifth-year senior has fueled Kansas State's run to the Elite Eight with 64 points, 42 assists, and 11 steals through three games. Nowell is 21 for 44 from the floor in this stretch, and he has been a more efficient shooter even though we have seen him take a few ill-advised deep threes. The 5'8 guard has shown incredible vision and an ability to create despite what different teams have thrown at him, but turnovers have been a bit of an issue.

Keyontae Johnson is the second-most important player to Kansas State's chances of reaching the Final Four. Johnson has 53 points through three games, and he is hitting 23 of 47 shots from the field. He hasn't had much luck on the offensive glass though, and his perimeter shooting hasn't been great either. Johnson was averaging 7.0 RPG and hitting 40.5% of his threes during the regular season, so Kansas State would love to get a performance like that on Saturday.

Fellow Harlem native Nae'Qwan Tomlin has scored in double digits in all three tournament games for Kansas State, and Ismael Massoud represented his neighborhood too with 15 points.

The Wildcats were not great on defense against Michigan State, but they have been a solid defensive team this season. Opponents are making just 30.5% of their three-point attempts against Kansas State, and the Wildcats force a good amount of turnovers.

Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Analysis

This is a well-rounded Florida Atlantic team. The Owls rank in the top 30 in adjusted offense and defense according to Ken Pomeroy's metrics. They made the most of their bracket as they didn't have to face No. 1 Purdue following their one-point victory over Memphis in the first round, but they proved they belonged with a comeback win over Tennessee on Thursday night. Florida Atlantic held Tennessee to just 55 points as the Vols only made a third of their field goals.

Johnell Davis is the top scorer for the Owls with 13.9 PPG. Davis led Florida Atlantic with 15 points on Thursday night, and he is making 50% of his field goals and 38.8% of his threes. He is the team's go-to free throw shooter too at 85% from the line, and Tennessee sent him to the charity stripe often at the end of the game. Davis was excellent in the win over Fairleigh Dickinson last week with 29 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and five steals.

Center Vladislav Goldin is a double-double threat as one of just two players with size on the roster. Goldin and Giancarlo Rosado are the only two players that are taller than 6'4, and Goldin checks in at 7'1. He is one of the best offensive rebounders in the country, and his play will be pivotal for FAU here.

Florida Atlantic has four players that are making between 37.5% and 40% of their threes. Davis is among that group, while Bryan Greenlee is the most accurate shooter at 39.8% from beyond the arc.