NCAAB Pick: Over 145.5 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
With another Big 12 title on the horizon, the Kansas Jayhawks prepare for their final home game of the season and we’re preparing a winning college basketball pick for the matchup against Texas Tech.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 – 09:00 PM EST at Allen Fieldhouse
Of all the seasons for Kansas to have not won the Big 12 regular season title, this campaign would have provided Bill Self and the Jayhawks a very good excuse since the conference is 10 teams deep and quite possibly about to send 80% of the league to the NCAA Tournament.
But here are the Jayhawks, just two wins away from a second consecutive Big 12 regular season title - and the 19th in the last 23 seasons - as they prepare for their final home game of the season against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Tuesday’s NCAAB odds card.
Allen Fieldhouse should be charged up and ready to go as three seniors - Cam Martin, Michael Jankovich, and Kevin McCullar Jr. - prepare for their final game at KU, only adding to the degree of difficulty for the Red Raiders to earn just their second win ever in Lawrence.
Series History & Betting Trends
These two met eight weeks ago in what was just the second conference game for both the Red Raiders and Jayhawks, and Kansas escaped Lubbock with a 75-72 win when Texas Tech’s Kevin Obanor missed a 3-point attempt that would have tied the game with 2 seconds left.
Obanor scored a game-high - and season-best - 26 points to lead the Red Raiders while Dajuan Harris Jr. led the Jayhawks with 18. Several top sportsbooks closed that contest as a pick.
Last year’s tussle in Lawrence was another closely-fought tilt that went to double overtime before Kansas secured a 94-91 triumph as 7.5-point chalk. A couple of free throws by former Red Raider star Terrence Shannon Jr. forced overtime after the Jayhawks blew a 12-point lead.
- The January win was the third in a row for Kansas and left the Jayhawks with a commanding 42-7 advantage in the rivalry.
- The last 8 meetings have been split with favorites covering 4 and underdogs covering 4.
- The last 4 meetings have cashed ‘Over’ tickets.
- Kansas has won 21 of the 22 matchups at Allen Fieldhouse.
Raiders: ‘Worn Out Emotionally’
There are tough losses, there are really tough losses, and then there are really, really, really tough losses like the one Mark Adams and the Red Raiders experienced the 83-82 setback last Saturday at home against TCU.
Closing as a 2-point favorite at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review), Texas Tech clawed back from a dozen down with less than 8 minutes to go only to see the rally fall short when De’Vion Harmon’s heave was well off the mark at the closing horn. Harmon was one of four Red Raiders in double digits in the scoring column.
Adams noted in his postgame press conference that the failed comeback really took a lot out of his team. “I was proud of our guys for coming back,” Adams told reporters. “These guys have been through a lot, and we’re probably a little bit worn out emotionally.”
Texas Tech was playing for the fifth consecutive game without Daniel Batcho, and the 6-11 sophomore is doubtful for Tuesday night due to a foot injury.
Jayhawks Survive Saturday Scare
Kansas heads into Tuesday’s tip with a 6-game win streak, and perhaps the most impressive thing about those half-dozen wins is half of them came on the road where it has been extremely difficult for all Big 12 teams.
The streak almost ended at home this past weekend, however. Closing as 9.5-point favorites on BMR’s live odds board, the Jayhawks held off a stubborn West Virginia team, 76-74. Kansas could only muster one free throw over the final 2:20 of the game.
Turnovers and poor defensive rebounding almost cost Kansas. The Jayhawks shot nearly 55% overall and netted an impressive 10-of-20 from 3-point land. However, the Mountaineers pulled down 14 offensive boards while the Jayhawks turned it over 19 times.
Could KU Get Caught Looking Ahead?
Most books started things off with Kansas favored by an even 10, and that spread is down a point to 9 on the morning lines. Scoreboard bettors with multiple outlets at their disposal have options on a total that sits 145-146.
Playing in Lawrence has a way of recharging emotional batteries, so expect the Red Raiders to be raring to go. At the same time, there’s no way Kansas players and coaches aren’t at least peeking ahead to Saturday’s clash with the Longhorns.
Texas Tech plus the points feels right, but betting on the final to go past the total feels even better. And don't forget that you can find the best Texas and Kansas betting sites at Bookmakers Review.
NCAAB Pick: Over 145.5 (-108) at Heritage Sports
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
