Sunflower Showdown Set for Saturday: Kansas State Hosts No. 19 Kansas in Rivalry Clash
The Sunflower Showdown is back, and while the records may not be even, the intensity always is.
Kansas State and Kansas are set to square off for the first time this season on Saturday night at Bramlage Coliseum, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. CT. It’s the first of two regular-season meetings between the in-state rivals, with the rematch slated for March 7 in Lawrence.
Let’s set the stage.
Kansas: Rolling Into Manhattan With Momentum
The Jayhawks come in riding a three-game win streak and holding a 14-5 overall record, including a 4-2 mark in Big 12 play. They’re currently ranked No. 19 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, and perhaps most importantly, they’ll have head coach Bill Self back on the sideline after he missed their last game due to a brief health scare.
But all eyes are on the status of Darryn Peterson. The freshman phenom-and projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft-sprained his ankle during Tuesday’s win over Colorado.
His availability for Saturday is still uncertain, and that could shift the dynamic significantly. Even so, Kansas has shown it can adapt, with a roster deep enough to weather short-term absences, especially with veteran leadership and a defense that travels.
Kansas State: Searching for Consistency in a Tough Season
It’s been a grind for Jerome Tang’s Wildcats this season. Kansas State is 10-9 overall and just 1-5 in Big 12 play.
They finally picked up their first conference win last weekend against Utah, snapping a rough start to league action. But the road doesn’t get any easier.
They’ll be without Abdi Bashir Jr., the team’s second-leading scorer, who recently underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his foot. He’s expected to miss 4-6 weeks, leaving a significant void in the Wildcats’ offense. That puts more pressure on the rest of the roster to step up, especially in a game that demands both execution and emotion.
That said, Tang has had success in this rivalry when playing in Manhattan. He’s 3-0 against Kansas at Bramlage Coliseum since taking over the program-a stat that shouldn’t be overlooked. Rivalry games tend to bring out the best in teams, and Kansas State will need every bit of that edge to pull off the upset.
The Matchup: Can K-State Hang With KU?
Injuries are a storyline on both sides, but the bigger question is whether Kansas State can defend well enough to keep this one close. Defensive lapses and inconsistent shooting have plagued the Wildcats all season, and against a Kansas team that can score in a hurry, those cracks can turn into a flood.
Even if Peterson is limited or unavailable, Kansas has enough firepower to get it done. The Jayhawks have been here before-navigating injuries, adjusting rotations, and still finding ways to win. That’s the mark of a veteran team with championship aspirations.
Kansas State, meanwhile, is still searching for its identity in the post-Bashir stretch. The Utah win was a step in the right direction, but they’ll need a near-flawless performance to keep pace with their rival.
Prediction: Kansas 85, Kansas State 74
Unless Kansas State can find another gear defensively and get hot from beyond the arc, it’s hard to see them pulling this one out. The Jayhawks are deeper, more balanced, and playing with confidence. Even if Peterson sits, the expectation is Kansas finds a way to extend its win streak and hand the Wildcats another tough Big 12 loss.
Game Info
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 24
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- Location: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kansas
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial available)
Tickets Still Available
If you're looking to catch the action live, tickets are still available on StubHub. Prices start at $61 for baseline seats and go up to $373 for fifth-row sideline views. It’s one of the most electric atmospheres in college basketball when these two meet-especially in Manhattan.
The Sunflower Showdown never lacks drama. And while Kansas enters as the favorite, rivalry games have a way of flipping the script.
Expect a fired-up crowd, physical play, and plenty of emotion. This one might not decide the Big 12 title, but it will absolutely define the week in college hoops across the state.