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The Kansas Jayhawks are set to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders this weekend. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our Kansas Texas Tech prediction, odds, and pick.
Kansas won at Oklahoma State earlier this week. The Jayhawks have often struggled in Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, but they passed the test this time. Kansas did have a rocky segment in that OSU win. The Jayhawks missed 19 straight shots at one point and watched their offense completely collapse late in the first half. However, they were able to regroup at halftime. Coach Bill Self had to like the resilience his team displayed in a hard-fought win over the Cowboys, who are not eligible for the NCAA Tournament and therefore treated the Kansas game as a March Madness-level event. KU's pursuit of the Big 12 title avoided a damaging early loss. As college basketball odds analysts know, Kansas has very little margin for error with defending national champion Baylor remaining unbeaten and setting a very high standard.
Kansas usually goes as far as its big men are able to carry the Jayhawks. This year is no exception. David McCormack has to be on top of his game if this season is to reach its potential. Keep that in mind when making a Kansas Texas Tech prediction. The Jayhawks have to control the paint in order for their season to operate smoothly.
However, while Kansas's floor depends on McCormack, the ceiling of this team's potential runs through the backcourt. Arizona State transfer Remy Martin is a volatile player: great when on his game, bad when not locked in. Martin has to be his best self if Kansas is going to make a run at the Final Four. This game, against a strong Texas Tech defense, will be a significant challenge for Martin.
Texas Tech just needs to get bodies healthy. The Kansas Texas Tech odds are in favor of the Jayhawks precisely because the Red Raiders don't have everyone available. Multiple players, including star Terrence Shannon, will be game-time decisions. Texas Tech sorely missed Shannon's scoring in a 51-47 loss at Iowa State. The Red Raiders played elite defense but lacked enough firepower to get over the hump.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the odds:
College Basketball odds: Kansas-Texas Tech Odds
Kansas: -4.5 (-110)
Texas Tech: +4.5 (-110)
Over: 139 (-110)
Under: 139 (-110)
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Why Kansas Could Cover the Spread
If Terrence Shannon can't play, Texas Tech misses a very central piece of its offense and its larger roster. This is part of the calculus when making a Kansas Texas Tech pick. Texas Tech can defend; no one disputes this. Holding Iowa State to 51 points earlier this week represented a great performance on the road in Ames. Yet, the Red Raider offense died and never really found itself. Shannon not being on the court was a big part of that. Kansas is coming off a game in which it missed 19 straight shots yet still won. That's a testament to the Jayhawks' defensive prowess. They won't allow bad offensive sequences to affect their defense. Winning basketball teams defend even when shots aren't falling.
Why Texas Tech Could Cover the Spread
The Red Raiders are playing fantastic defense. They could not have played any worse on offense against Iowa State. With a home crowd behind them in Lubbock, just a little more offense will be enough to win or at least cover the spread.
Final Kansas-Texas Tech Prediction & Pick
It's hard to pick Texas Tech to win outright, but the Red Raiders are playing great defense. If Kansas was favored by just a point, the Jayhawks would make sense as a spread pick. However, with the line at an expansive 4.5 points, Texas Tech being able to keep this a one-score game (three points or fewer) seems likely.
Final Kansas-Texas Tech Pick: Texas Tech +4.5
