Kansas vs Texas Tech Odds, Picks and Predictions: Raiders Ram Through Visiting Jayhawks

The Texas Tech Red Raiders will look to take advantage of a shorthanded opponent when they host the ailing Kansas Jayhawks on Monday night. 

Kansas was able to beat the Baylor Bears on Saturday despite playing without Kevin McCullar and others. The injuries have left the Jayhawks as an underdog in the college basketball odds against Texas Tech, which broke a three-game losing streak on Saturday with a 66-59 home win over the UCF Knights. 

The Jayhawks may be without two of their top ballhandling options tonight, which is a troubling position for any team. I’ll break down what to expect in tonight’s matchup in my free college basketball picks for Kansas vs. Texas Tech on February 12.

Kansas vs Texas Tech best odds

Kansas vs Texas Tech picks and predictions

Despite playing with only seven scholarship players — all of whom saw at least some floor time — Kansas was able to hold off Baylor by a 64-61 final at home on Saturday. Without McCullar available, all five scorers contributed at least eight points, with center Hunter Dickinson leading the way by scoring 15 on 7-for-19 shooting. 

The Jayhawks will have even more problems to overcome tonight at Texas Tech. Obviously, playing on the road is an added challenge, especially against a Red Raiders team that is 12-1 at home this season. But Kansas may also have to deal with an injury to Dajuan Harris, who was taken out of the game with an ankle issue on Saturday. 

Harris was able to return to the game, making a key shot down the stretch, but Self told reporters he’s uncertain as to whether or not he’ll have his point guard for Monday’s contest. He was even more skeptical about McCullar. 

I can’t imagine Kevin being a lot better on Monday if he can hardly move on Saturday.

Even if Harris and freshman Jamari McDonald — who missed the game against Baylor due to an illness — can play on Monday, the McCullar injury is a major concern for Kansas. It moves the needle several points in terms of the correct line for this game, which is why Texas Tech is favored tonight.

We also have to ask the question of just how big a favorite Kansas should be even if it were entirely healthy. While the Jayhawks are the better team in this matchup, it would be a mistake to underestimate the Red Raiders. Their record may not look as impressive after the recent losing streak, but this is a solid team with a balanced offense featuring five players who score in double figures.

Importantly, Texas Tech comes into this game without any significant injuries outside the known loss of forward Devan Cambridge, who is out for the year. Even if Kansas was coming into Lubbock completely healthy, this would be close to a tossup on the Red Raiders’ home court. 

But Kansas isn’t healthy. McCullar is out, and we don’t know if Harris will be at 100%. That creates huge backcourt problems for the Jayhawks, and they can’t count on Dickinson’s size to lead to easy points against 7-footer Warren Washington. Texas Tech deserves to be clearly favored here, and I’m willing to lay a few points to back the home team tonight.

My best bet: Texas Tech -3.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

Kansas vs Texas Tech same-game parlay

Texas Tech -3.5

Pop Isaacs 15+ points

Joe Toussaint 10+ points

+264 at FanDuel

The Red Raiders will have a clear advantage in the backcourt tonight, and that forms the basis of my same-game parlay this evening. I’m taking Texas Tech to cover the spread, but I also like its starting guards to score their share of points. 

I’m going with safe, alternative totals for both Pop Isaacs (16.9 ppg) and Joe Toussaint (12.7 ppg). Isaacs has scored at least 15 points in four of his last six games, while Toussaint has gotten into double digits in 17 of his 23 outings this year, including his last two. They should both have opportunities to exploit the shorthanded Jayhawks tonight and bring home our SGP. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Kansas vs Texas Tech spread and Over/Under analysis

Texas Tech opened tonight’s game as a 1.5-point favorite. The line has only moved further in favor of the Red Raiders, who now sit as a 3.5-point favorite at nearly all books. Most sites are offering -110 on both sides of that line. 

Neither team has been particularly successful for bettors this year. Kansas has put up a 10-13 record against the spread, while Texas Tech is just 10-12-1 ATS on the season. 

The total for tonight’s game opened at 147.5 points. That number has come down precipitously. While there isn’t a consensus Over/Under, sportsbooks have their numbers set anywhere from 143.5 to 144.5 with -110 available on both sides at either number. 

Kansas has played evenly to the total, going 11-11-1 on the Over/Under. However, Texas Tech has a strong bias to the Over, which has gone 15- when the Red Raiders play this season. 

Kansas vs Texas Tech betting trend to know

Kansas is 2-4 ATS in its last six road games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Kansas vs. Texas Tech.

Kansas vs Texas Tech game info

Kansas vs Texas Tech key injuries

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