Kansas at Texas Tech Betting Preview: Jayhawks vs Red Raiders
Big 12 heavyweights collide on Thursday night when the Texas Tech Red Raiders host the Kansas Jayhawks. What a way to kick off the Big 12 schedule for each team, as these could easily be the top two teams in the league. Take a look at our Kansas at Texas Tech betting preview as we breakdown the matchup.
The Kansas Jayhawks have won six straight games since suffering a season-opening loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Kansas is now the number 5 ranked team in the country, and Bill Self has another team capable of reaching the Final Four.
Texas Tech is also 6-1 on the season, with the lone loss coming at the hands of the Houston Cougars. The Red Raiders continue to climb up the pools and this team is one of the few in the league that can contend with the Jayhawks.
Take a look at our Kansas Texas Tech betting preview as we breakdown the matchup.
Kansas at Texas Tech Betting Preview: Offense
The Kansas Jayhawks are the much better offensive team in this matchup, scoring more than 81 points per game this season. Texas Tech is over 75 points per game, but they don’t have the type of weapons that the Jayhawks have.
Forward Jalen Wilson leads the Kansas team with 15.3 points per game, but the Jayhawks can get production from a number of different players on the roster. Marcus Garrett leads the team with four assists per game, but he is capable of betting hot at any time.
Guard Mac McClung leads Texas Tech with 14 points per game, and the former Georgetown star looks pretty comfortable with his new team. Shooting the ball has been an issue for Texas Tech at times, especially in their lone loss to Houston.
Kansas wants to play at a much quicker pace than Texas Tech, and they aren’t afraid to take quick shots. Texas Tech will run a number of set plays in hopes of getting a great shot on each possession.
Kansas at Texas Tech Betting Preview: Defense
The biggest separation between these two teams is on the defensive end of the floor. Texas Tech has been one of the best defensive teams in the country over the last few years, and that is the case again in 2020.
The Red Raiders are giving up just 51.6 points per game, and that defense has been suffocating some opponents. Kansas will present the toughest test of the season, but the Red Raiders will make Kansas work for every single shot.
Kansas has allowed more than 67 points per game, but this team has started to figure some things out. The Jayhawks gave up 102 points in the season opener, but have not given up more than 72 points over their last six contests.
Big 12 Conference basketball is always physical, and that will be the case in this one.
Kansas at Texas Tech Betting Preview: Final Thoughts
Winning on the road in the Big 12 Conference is never easy, but that is Kansas that we are talking. The Jayhawks have been the gold standard in the Big 12 for more than a decade, and they don’t seem ready to give up their throne just yet.
Texas Tech has all of the pieces to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, but this is a tough way to start off conference play. Don’t be surprised if the Red Raiders struggle a bit in this game.
Both teams can really score, but it will be Kansas that will find a way to take control of this game. The Jayhawks come into Lubbock, Texas playing great basketball, and they will leave town with a win.
Final Score Prediction: Kansas Jayhawks 74, Texas Tech Red Raiders 67
