Hilton Coliseum - Ames, IA
Tip-off: Saturday, 9:00 p.m. ET
Line: TBD

No. 9 Kansas looks to take control of the Big 12 on Saturday night when it travels to Ames to take on No. 11 Iowa State.

In the team’s second game of the season, the Jayhawks (10-5 ATS) played Kentucky, and were drilled by 32 points. Since then, they have lost only one game (13-1 SU), with that being a 25-point defeat at Temple on Dec. 22. The Cyclones (7-5 ATS) are looking to bounce back from a tough road loss to Baylor, a game in which they were down 12 at half, but rallied to take the lead before losing by one point. These two schools met three times last season, with Kansas winning the two regular season games, and Iowa State winning in the Big 12 Tournament. Ames has become one of the toughest places to play in college basketball, but the Jayhawks have been dominant there, losing only one game since the 2005-2006 season. They are also 7-2 ATS after an ATS win this season, and a perfect 3-0 (SU and ATS) in Big 12 play where they are winning by 14.3 PPG. The Cyclones are 8-0 SU (2-3 ATS) at home where they outscore visitors by 21.0 PPG (84 to 63).

Can ISU hand Kansas its first conference loss this season? For the latest college basketball picks, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the StatFox Experts selections every week throughout the entire 2013-14 season. The experts have caught fire since Dec. 23, combining for a 61% ATS mark (54-35) in college basketball Best Bets. StatFox Gary is 12-5 ATS during this timeframe to improve to 64% ATS (30-17) for the season. StatFox Brian is 79% ATS (11-3) in Best Bets since Dec. 28 to improve to 58% ATS (28-20) this season, while StatFox Scott is on a 72% ATS (13-5) Best Bets run since Dec. 23.

The Jayhawks are starting to resemble past Bill Self teams, as they once again have the look of a Final Four team. Kansas enters Friday ranked 36th in the nation in rebounding (38.9 RPG), 107th in assists (13.9 APG) 112th in scoring (70.9 PPG) and 200th in shooting (43.3 % FG). The biggest reason why the Jayhawks are starting to turn the corner is because of the freshman duo of PF Cliff Alexander (9.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 55% FG) and SG Kelly Oubre Jr. (7.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 46 % threes). These two are the most talented players at Kansas, and if they can continue to play up to their potential, the Jayhawks are only going to get better. PG Frank Mason III (12.4 PPG, 4.3 APG, 4.1 RPG) has taken a huge step from his freshman campaign, as he has now scored in double-figures in 13 consecutive games. PF Perry Ellis (12.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG) has really struggled to put the ball in the basket (42% FG), but he has done a nice job of continuing to attack the basket. He will be matched up against Georges Niang, and that could be the battle that determines the winner of this game.

Iowa State has one of the best offenses in college basketball, and it all starts with the sharing of the ball. Through Thursday, the Cyclones lead the nation in assists (18.5 APG), and rank 16th in the NCAA in scoring (79.9 PPG), 17th in shooting (48.8% FG) and 108th in rebounding (36.5 RPG). PF Georges Niang (14.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.4 APG) is continuing to have a stellar season for the Cyclones, but has really struggled against Kansas. A big reason for that is because Kansas has had shot-blockers like Jeff Withey and Joel Embiid that have made it very difficult for him. This season, the Jayhawks do not have that presence down low, which should make it easier for him to drive to the rim. PG Bryce Dejean-Jones (12.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.1 APG), SG Naz Long (12.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 43 % threes) and SF Dustin Hogue (11.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 50% threes) are all players capable of having big shooting games. The Cyclones knock down 35% from the three-point line on the season, and get a lot of easy shots from the ball movement.