Overview
No. 9 Texas Tech was happy to click its heels and head home again after a surprising loss to TCU in Fort Worth Saturday. The Red Raiders built an eight-point halftime lead and were playing in front of a surprisingly partisan crowd.
But then things fell apart, and Texas Tech will hope to continue its home dominance and hold off a home sweep at the hands of a mediocre Kansas State squad.
The Wildcats will need to dig deep to shatter the mystique of the Red Raiders’ home court this season as Texas Tech handed all 17 of their visitors’ losses so far this season.
Kansas State has suffered through some heartbreak of its own during its current three-game losing streak. The Wildcats lost one of those contests in overtime and dropped another by one point.
Last games records
Kansas State lost 74-73 to Iowa State on Feb. 26 in Manhattan, Kan. The Wildcats are 14-14 overall this season and have a 6-10 record in the Big 12. Texas Tech lost to TCU 69-66 on Feb. 26 on the road. The Red Raiders are 22-7 overall and 11-5 in conference play.
Matchup Information:
Kansas State at Texas Tech Betting Analysis
Kansas State Betting Analysis
The Wildcats have regressed to the mean after going through their best stretch of the season. Kansas State had won four of five before falling into this current three-game losing streak.
The Wildcats’ defense, which allows opponents to score 66.6 points per game, has faltered as of later, conceding 40 or more points during the previous four games. Against Kansas, the Wildcats allowed their rival to score 102 points.
When Kansas State has been successful, it has been due to being efficient with the ball. The Wildcats rank first in the Big 12 by making 8.3 3-pointers per game and third in 3-point percentage, knocking down 34.3 percent of its 3-pointers. Kansas State also protects the ball well, leading the Big 12 by only committing 323 turnovers.
Nijel Pack leads the Wildcats by scoring 17.8 points per game and has scored 30 or more points three times. Kansas State guard Mark Smith leads the Big 12 in rebounding and double-doubles, in addition to contributing 12.6 points per game. Six of the Wildcats’ Big 12 losses have come by five points or less this season.
Texas Tech Betting Analysis
The Red Raiders don’t allow their opponents any room to breathe on offense. Texas Tech limits its opponents to 60.7 points per game, which ranks 15th nationally. The Red Raiders also only allow their opponents to 38.6 percent shooting from the field, which is 13th best in the nation.
To avoid a season sweep, Texas Tech will need to shoot better from the 3-point line. The Red Raiders shot 23.5 percent (4 of 17) from the outside in their first meeting. Overall, Texas Tech’s offense was a mess with Bryson Williams, who scored 20 points, being the only player who scored in double figures for the Red Raiders.
Williams leads Texas Tech by scoring 13.9 points per game and shoots 54.6 percent from the field. Terrence Shannon Jr. has also been another key contributor for the Red Raiders, averaging 10.9 points per game.
Team Updates
- Kansas State is 14-12-2 against the spread.
- Texas Tech is 20-9 against the spread.
- The over has gone 15-13 in the Wildcats’ games.
- The total has gone under in 15 of the Red Raiders’ games.
Kansas State at Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s loss to TCU severely limited the Red Raiders’ chances of winning the Big 12 regular-season title. Barring a collapse from Kansas and Baylor, Texas Tech is going to take the final few games of the season to jostle for position in the conference tournament. Kansas State is just playing for pride at this point, as unless it wins the Big 12 tournament, the Wildcats won’t be participating in postseason play.
Texas Tech is a 12.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 133 points.
Kansas State at Texas Tech Betting Prediction
Kansas State is walking into an environment that would be difficult even if Texas Tech hadn’t laid an egg in its last contest. But with the Red Raiders wanting to avoid another upset, Texas Tech will be focused on tamping down the Kansas State offense. While the Wildcats have been putting up points during their losing streak, that stretch of success will likely be halted.
Texas Tech is going to win comfortably and put the pressure on the teams above them to keep up.
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