Two of the top five teams in the Big 12 take the court in a primetime matchup tonight when Kansas visits Texas Tech. Both teams are ranked in the top-25, and this game will serve as a tiebreaker between the two Big 12 contenders, as they will not face each other again this season.
The Red Raiders are reeling a bit, but they were able to break a three-game losing streak against UCF their last time out. A win tonight on their home court over a top-five opponent would be huge for getting Texas Tech back on track. The Red Raiders are 10-12-1 against the spread this season but have not covered any of their last four games. Their offense has been potent even over their tough run, hitting the OVER for total points in six of the last seven.
Kansas, one of the nation’s top teams, has not been a good spread bet this season, with a 10-13-1 ATS record. After covering three straight, including a blowout win over the Big 12’s top team, Houston, the Jayhawks have not covered in either of their last two contests, winning one and losing one.
Here is the Kansas vs. Texas Tech betting news, player props and a betting prediction for tonight’s Big 12 matchup. The game tips off at 9 p.m. on ESPN.
Live odds for Kansas vs. Texas Tech
Here are the spread, moneyline and total points live odds for Kansas vs. Texas Tech at the best online sportsbooks.
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Kansas Jayhawks betting news
Kansas has been somewhat inconsistent this season, winning against top opponents but suffering letdown losses along the way. The Jayhawks have five losses this season, and only one came as an underdog. Kansas boasts elite talent, maybe more than any team in the nation.
With the 32nd-ranked offense and 14th-ranked defense for adjusted efficiency, they sit 14th for adjusted efficiency margin on Kenpom. They have played some tough contests, with the 14th-ranked strength of schedule. That has prepared them for any opponent, but if they don’t start to play like they are capable, any chance of winning the Big 12 regular season title will be gone.
Kansas is a tough opponent to defend — the Jayhawks are the only team in the country with two top-75 scorers. Kevin McCullar (19.5 PPG) and Hunter Dickinson (18.7 PPG) are an elite duo with strong inside-outside skills. Dickinson is elite in the post with great size at 7-foot-2 but can also step outside and hit a three, shooting 35.3% from behind the arc.
McCullar does it all for the Jayhawks — he’s second on the team in rebounding (6.4 RPG) and assists (4.6 APG). The senior has great size for a guard at 6-foot-7, helping him play any spot in the lineup and offering crucial versatility. In addition, 6-foot-9 freshman Johnny Furphy has come on strong in conference play. Over 11 Big 12 games, he has averaged 11.7 PPG, after only scoring in double figures twice in nonconference play.
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Texas Tech Red Raiders betting news
The Red Raiders’ started hot in the Big 12, willing their first three and five of their first six. But Texas Tech has lost three of their last four, struggling to win in some close contests. All three of their recent defeats to TCU, Cincinnati and Baylor came by seven or fewer points. It is worth noting that in their last four games, they have lost three where the point total was OVER, and their win went UNDER the game total.
The Red Raiders have an elite offense, ranking 13th for adjusted efficiency, but their defense comes in far behind, ranking 88th for adjusted efficiency. Texas Tech has been scoring in crunch time but has been giving up more than it is producing, as their defense can’t get stops when it matters. With five double-digit scorers led by Pop Isaacs (16.9 PPG), Texas Tech can score on anyone.
Without defensive improvements, though, they will have a tough time stopping Kansas. They are among the few teams that can match up decently with the Jayhawks. Warren Washington is 7-foot and averages 1.6 blocks per game, while their guards in the rotation range from 6-foot to 6-foot-6.
Kansas vs. Texas Tech player props at FanDuel Sportsbook
Here are some of the top player prop markets for Kansas vs. Texas Tech from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Warren Washington prop bets
- 10.5 points OVER (-125) / UNDER (-105)
- 7.5 rebounds OVER (-112) / UNDER (-134)
Hunter Dickinson prop bets
- 19.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
- 9.5 rebounds OVER (-116) / UNDER (-122)
- Threes: 1+ (-122)
Johnny Furphy prop bets
- 13.5 points OVER (-105) / UNDER (-125)
- 5.5 rebounds OVER (-104) / UNDER (-134)
- Threes: 2+ (-118), 3+ (+235)
KJ Adams prop bets
- 13.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)
Chance McMillian prop bets
- 11.5 points OVER (+100) / UNDER (-130)
- Threes: 2+ (-186), 3+ (+158), 4+ (+370)
Joe Toussaint prop bets
- 11.5 points OVER (-110) / UNDER (-120)
- 4.5 assists OVER (-106) / UNDER (-132)
- Threes: 2+ (+182)
Pop Isaacs prop bets
- 17.5 points OVER (-110) / UNDER (-120)
- 4.5 assists OVER (+110) / UNDER (-156)
- Threes: 3+ (-102), 4+ (+370)
Kansas vs. Texas Tech prediction: Jayhawks steal one on the road
Texas Tech has not been playing well recently, and the Jayhawks play their best in primetime games. Kansas has won their last three games against top-25 teams and should continue rolling tonight.
Pick: Kansas
