Big Monday heads to Lubbock with two top-20 taking the floor, as Kansas and Texas Tech do battle in college basketball. Texas Tech has defended its home court flawlessly and will look to bounce back from a loss on the road behind JT Toppin. Kansas just crushed Kansas State on the road and beat a ranked BYU team at home. Before this nationally televised matchup tips off in Texas, you will find my breakdown of this game below, including my Kansas vs Texas Tech prediction.
Our Kansas vs Texas Tech Pick
Pick: Texas Tech -4.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 4/5
Game Snapshot
Matchup: Kansas Jayhawks @ Texas Tech Red Raiders
Date & Time: February 2, 9:00 PM ET
Venue: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN
Key Storylines
Availability watch for Kansas: Star freshman Darryn Peterson missed January 24 at Kansas State after turning an ankle at Colorado. He was able to play against BYU and will be expected to go again in this contest. If Peterson's health problems are behind him, the Jayhawks could look even better later in the season.
Texas Tech’s fortress: The Red Raiders are 11-0 at home with a vastly improved offense keyed by Toppin’s interior scoring, offensive boards, and kick-outs to guards such as Christian Anderson. Kansas is just 3-3 on the road so far this season and they will have their hands full against one of the best teams in college basketball at protecting their home floor.
Kansas’ recent form: The Jayhawks have won five straight games, throttling K-State 86-62 in their last outing behind Flory Bidunga and Melvin Council Jr. The Jayhawks have worked their way back into the top-15 in the rankings and could end up in the top-10 with a win in this matchup.
This game is a huge one in the Big 12 standings. Both of these teams are 6-2 in conference play this year and 16-5 overall. The winner of this game will be ahead of the loser in the conference standings and will move into a tie with Iowa State for third place in the Big 12.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
Kansas is 42-9 all-time against Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders have won two straight games against Kansas over the last two seasons.
The Jayhawks are 14-7 against the spread this season.
Texas Tech enters this matchup with a 10-11 record against the spread.
The under has hit in 14 of Kansas' 21 games this year.
Texas Tech is 11-10 to the over going into this matchup.
Kansas vs Texas Tech Model Projection
Score Projection: Kansas 69 – Texas Tech 76
Win Probability: Kansas 39%, Texas Tech 61%
Final Thoughts
Texas Tech is undefeated at home so far this season and they have one of the few frontcourts capable of outplaying Flory Bidunga and the frontcourt of the Jayhawks. I expect Toppin to have another huge night for the Red Raiders and for Texas Tech to win and cover the spread on their home floor in this marquee matchup in the Big 12.
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