The Big 12 has an intriguing college basketball matchup for this Tuesday’s slate of games. The reigning National Champion Kansas Jayhawks will be on the road at Texas Tech. Kansas has won six straight games coming into this one, while Texas Tech is coming off a road loss against TCU on New Year’s Eve. The Jayhawks are a 1.5 point favorite with the over/under set at 141. With that being said, here is the prediction for the Big 12 basketball matchup.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks have put together a good start to the season, winning 12 out of their first 13 games with their only loss coming against Tennessee so far this season. Kansas has also had quality wins over Duke, Wisconsin, and Indiana this season. In their last game, the Jayhawks were down 15 at the half to Oklahoma State before coming all the way back to win a two-point game. Now they have to go to Lubbock, which will be their first road game in their conference.
We should see the Jayhawks trio (Jalen Wilson, Gradey Dick, and Kevin McCullar) be solid tonight in Kansas’ first road conference game of the season. Wilson averages 21 PPG to go along with 9 RPG. Dick averages 14.8 PPG to go along with 5.1 RPG, and Kevin McCullar averages 11.5 PPG and 7.7 RPG. Dick has double digits in 10 out of 13 games so far this season, and the Jayhawks are 10-0 in the games where Dick scores 10 or more points. Jalen Wilson is the leading scorer for Kansas, and he will be a big factor in this game.
Wilson will need to contribute like he has been because this Red Raider defense is good. The Red Raiders rank 18th in the country with a defensive rating of 89.3. This matchup is also a big one for Kansas’ Kevin McCullar. McCullar transferred from Texas Tech to Kansas after last season and will look to beat his former team in his first matchup at SuperMarkets Arena since he transferred.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech has had this game scheduled on their calendar since Kevin McCullar transferred to Kansas. This is a huge revenge game for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech beat the Jayhawks at home last season and then lost in double overtime at Kansas. They also lost to Kansas in the Big 12 tournament title game. People are not buying into this Red Raiders team this season. Their three losses have been to teams that will more than likely make the tournament (TCU, Creighton, and Ohio State). However, their best win is against Georgetown.
They are at home and it is a conference game, so anything is possible. Texas Tech is led by Kevin Obanor, who averages 15.8 PPG to go along with 6.2 RPG and shoots 52.6% from the field. Obanor can’t do it by himself, though. He will need big games from Daniel Batcho, De’Vion Harmones, and Pop Isaacs. All four of these guys average double figures and will need to average 10 or more points each in order to get the job done against Kansas.
Betting Trends
-Kansas is 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 Tuesday games.
-Under is 10-3 in Kansas’ last 13 games following an ATS loss.
-Red Raiders are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a SU loss.
-Over is 6-0 in Red Raiders’ last 6 home games.
The Don’s Prediction
My prediction for this one is that Kansas suffers their second loss of the season. The best bet for this one is Texas Tech ML. Look for the Red Raiders to jump out to an early lead, and the Jayhawks will be playing from behind all game long. Vegas having Kansas as a favorite here makes me love the Red Raiders so much more. Texas Tech should be the favorite in this matchup, not the Jayhawks. Also I would lean under here as I don’t think the total goes over 138 points. Ride the Red Raiders at home tonight.