NCAAB · Final

Kansas State Edges Utah in Close Contest

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · Bramlage Coliseum

Kansas State Wildcats 81, Utah Utes 78, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Utah Utes vs Kansas State Wildcats?

Kansas State Wildcats beat Utah Utes 81-78 at Bramlage Coliseum on January 20, 2026.

Who was favored in Utah Utes vs Kansas State Wildcats?

Kansas State Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -550 (about 85% implied). The favorite won.

In a thrilling matchup, the Kansas State Wildcats narrowly defeated the Utah Utes with a final score of 81-78 at Bramlage Coliseum. This game was particularly noteworthy as it marked Kansas State's first victory against Utah, having lost their previous meeting on February 18, 2025, by a score of 69-74.

Both teams entered the game with struggling records; Kansas State held a home record of 10-9 while Utah was at 9-10. Kansas State's recent form had been concerning, as they faced a five-game losing streak leading into this contest, with an average of 77.8 points scored and 87.4 points allowed over their last five games. They had lost their last match against Oklahoma State, 83-84, and their home performance had been inconsistent, going 3-3 in their last six home games.

On the other hand, Utah had a record of 3-7 over their last ten games but managed to snap a streak of four consecutive losses with a win against TCU, 82-79, just days before facing Kansas State. Their scoring average in recent games was 78.2 points, while they allowed an average of 87.6 points. Utah's away record had been particularly poor, as they had not won any of their last four games on the road.

The odds for the matchup, provided by DraftKings, favored Kansas State significantly, with a spread of -10.5 and a moneyline of -550. Utah was listed at +410 on the moneyline, indicating that Kansas State was expected to win comfortably.

The game unfolded with intense back-and-forth action, showcasing both teams' offensive capabilities. Kansas State's P.J. Haggerty played a pivotal role, making key shots, including an 8-foot floating jump shot that put the Wildcats ahead late in the second half. The scoring plays were tightly contested, with Utah's Terrence Brown also contributing significantly, including a crucial layup that tied the game at 77-77.

As the game drew to a close, Kansas State managed to maintain their composure, with Haggerty making critical free throws that ultimately secured the victory. The final moments were tense, but Kansas State's ability to execute under pressure proved decisive.

Conditions in Bramlage Coliseum were favorable for the teams, with a competitive atmosphere that likely fueled the players' performances. The close scoreline reflects the evenly matched nature of the teams, despite Kansas State's higher expectations based on the betting lines.

Overall, this game was a testament to Kansas State's resilience, overcoming a difficult stretch of games to claim a hard-fought victory against Utah.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	KSU -10.5	168.5 o -105 / u -115	Utah Utes +410 · Kansas State Wildcats -550

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsP.J. Haggerty34Kansas State Wildcats
AssistsNate Johnson6Kansas State Wildcats
ReboundsP.J. Haggerty8Kansas State Wildcats
PointsTerrence Brown33Utah Utes
AssistsDon McHenry3Utah Utes
ReboundsKeanu Dawes7Utah Utes

Recent form

Kansas State Wildcats

Last 10: 4-6Streak L584.7 scored · 80.1 allowed per game3-3 at home

L83-84at Oklahoma State CowboysJan 18
L73-82vs UCF KnightsJan 15
L84-87at Arizona State Sun DevilsJan 10
L76-101at Arizona WildcatsJan 8
L73-83vs BYU CougarsJan 3
W94-85vs UL Monroe WarhawksDec 28
W106-76vs South Dakota CoyotesDec 20
W83-76at Creighton BluejaysDec 13
W108-49vs Mississippi Valley State Delta DevilsDec 9
L67-78vs Seton Hall PiratesDec 6

Utah Utes

Last 10: 3-7Streak W179.4 scored · 83.5 allowed per game0-4 away

W82-79vs TCU Horned FrogsJan 17
L74-88at Texas Tech Red RaidersJan 15
L84-89vs BYU CougarsJan 11
L73-85at Colorado BuffaloesJan 8
L78-97vs Arizona WildcatsJan 3
L65-74at Washington HuskiesDec 30
W101-77vs Eastern Washington EaglesDec 21
L74-82vs Mississippi State BulldogsDec 14
W91-85vs California Baptist LancersDec 7
L72-79at California Golden BearsDec 3

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Arizona	36-3	-	16-2
Houston	30-7	2	14-4
Iowa State	29-8	4	12-6
Kansas	24-11	4	12-6
Texas Tech	23-11	4	12-6
TCU	23-12	5	11-7
BYU	23-12	7	9-9
UCF	21-12	7	9-9
West Virginia	21-14	7	9-9
Cincinnati	18-15	7	9-9
Colorado	17-16	9	7-11
Arizona State	17-16	9	7-11
Oklahoma State	20-15	10	6-12
Baylor	17-17	10	6-12
Kansas State	12-20	13	3-15
Utah	10-22	14	2-16

Box score

Stat	Utah Utes	Kansas State Wildcats
Field goals	32-65	31-62
Field goal %	49	50
Three-pointers	8-23	12-23
Three-point %	35	52
Free throws	6-10	7-10
Free throw %	60	70
Rebounds	34	29
Offensive rebounds	10	7
Defensive rebounds	24	22
Assists	10	17
Steals	5	4
Blocks	4	2
Turnovers	9	10
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	1	0
Technical fouls, total	1	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	14	8
Fast-break points	11	17
Points in the paint	40	32
Fouls	14	13
Largest lead	5	10
Lead changes	9	9
Time in front	29	63

How the scoring went

1st Half39-46P.J. Haggerty makes 8-foot floating jump shot
1st Half41-46Josh Hayes makes layup (Seydou Traore assists)
1st Half43-46Terrence Brown makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half45-46Seydou Traore makes layup
2nd Half47-46Terrence Brown makes 11-foot jumper
2nd Half49-46Terrence Brown makes 1-foot dunk
2nd Half49-48P.J. Haggerty makes 6-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half51-48Terrence Brown makes layup (Seydou Traore assists)
2nd Half51-50P.J. Haggerty makes layup (David Castillo assists)
2nd Half51-52P.J. Haggerty makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Nate Johnson assists)
2nd Half51-54Taj Manning makes layup (Nate Johnson assists)
2nd Half52-54Don McHenry makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half52-55P.J. Haggerty makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-55Terrence Brown makes 11-foot jumper
2nd Half57-55Terrence Brown makes 26-foot three point jumper (Don McHenry assists)
2nd Half60-55Don McHenry makes 23-foot three point jumper (Terrence Brown assists)
2nd Half60-57P.J. Haggerty makes 4-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half62-57Josh Hayes makes 0-foot tip in dunk
2nd Half62-58P.J. Haggerty makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-61P.J. Haggerty makes 25-foot three point jumper (Nate Johnson assists)
2nd Half65-61Don McHenry makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half65-63P.J. Haggerty makes 10-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half65-65P.J. Haggerty makes 8-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half67-65Seydou Traore makes layup
2nd Half67-68David Castillo makes 23-foot three point jumper (Nate Johnson assists)
2nd Half67-70P.J. Haggerty makes 8-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half68-70Obomate Abbey makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half69-70Obomate Abbey makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half69-72P.J. Haggerty makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half69-74P.J. Haggerty makes 6-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half72-74Terrence Brown makes 26-foot three point jumper (Don McHenry assists)
2nd Half74-74Terrence Brown makes layup
2nd Half75-74Terrence Brown makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half75-76P.J. Haggerty makes 8-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half75-77P.J. Haggerty makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half77-77Terrence Brown makes layup
2nd Half77-79P.J. Haggerty makes 11-foot jumper (C.J. Jones assists)
2nd Half78-79Don McHenry makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half78-80Nate Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half78-81Nate Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2