Kansas at Texas Tech Odds, Expert Pick & TV Info

It’s a potential trap game on Saturday for No. 3 Kansas as the Jayhawks visit a decent Texas Tech team. KU could be looking past TTU toward Monday’s big game and potential payback against No. 13 West Virginia. Still, the Jayhawks will be NCAA basketball odds favorites in Lubbock on Saturday.

Kansas at Texas Tech Odds, Expert Pick & TV Info

When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2 PM ET Where: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock TV: ESPN Stream: WatchESPN Radio: Kansas / Texas Tech Opening NCAAB Lines: Kansas favored by TBA

Why Bet On Kansas?

The Jayhawks (21-3) escaped at Kansas State on Monday, 74-71. The game was tied 63-all with 2:50 left when Kansas ripped off six quick points, but the Wildcats kept hanging around. D.J. Johnson hit three of four foul shots down the stretch, and Kamau Stokes hit a 3-pointer from the wing to get within 72-69 with 19.2 seconds to go. Devonte Graham calmly hit two more free throws to put the game away. Big 12 Player of the Year favorite Frank Mason III led the Jayhawks with 21 points, including 5-of- 6 shooting at the free throw line in the last five minutes, to seal KU’s 21st win of the season. Freshman guard Josh Jackson contributed 18 points in just 25 minutes of action. Coach Bill Self lifted Carlton Bragg Jr.’s indefinite suspension after the sophomore was granted diversion for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, a charge that will be dismissed if he does not commit a crime for the next six months. Bragg had six points and three rebounds in 13 minutes. Mason is vying to become the first player in KU and Big 12 history to average at least 20 points and five assists per game. Mason is averaging 20.4 points and 5.1 assists through 24 games. Jackson is the only freshman in the Big 12 to rank in the top eight in both scoring (sixth at 16.0 ppg) and rebounding (eighth at 6.8 rpg). Kansas averages 83.6 points per game this season which is the highest scoring average in the Bill Self era. KU’s 8.8 3-point field goals made per game in 2016-17 would be the highest average in KU history, surpassing the 8.0 made in 2015-16. Under Self, Kansas has not experienced a regular-season conference sweep by a Big 12 opponent. In 86 regular-season Big 12 home-and- home series during the Self era, Kansas has 59 sweeps and 27 splits.

Why Bet On Texas Tech?

The Red Raiders (16-8, 4-7) need some big wins to get considered for the NCAA Tournament. But they come off a tough 62-61 loss to rival TCU. The Frogs’ Alex Robinson hit a free throw with 1.4 seconds remaining. After Robinson missed the second attempt, the Red Raiders were unable to get a desperation heave off from next to their own basket as the buzzer sounded. Robinson was fouled by Texas Tech guard Keenan Evans as he attempted to drive to the basket on the final possession. Evans, who finished with a game-high 20 points, missed a free throw with 13.6 seconds remaining to leave the contest tied at 60-60 and set up Robinson’s heroics. Anthony Livingston dialed up 11 of his 14 points during the second half and grabbed a Big 12 career-high tying six rebounds. He was 6-of- 10 shooting aided by a pair of treys. Livingston has garnered 10-plus points in four straight games for the first time this season. Zach Smith grinded his way to his first double-double in Big 12 action with 11 points and 10 rebounds. He also added three blocks to bring his total to 16 rejections over his last 11 outings. Smith has picked up six double-doubles this season. Texas Tech was 24-of- 59 from the floor, 7-of- 16 on three-pointers and 6-of- 10 at the free throw line. The Red Raiders were able to force TCU into 21 turnovers and scored 28 of the game’s 40 points off miscues. Texas Tech also worked its way to 26-14 edge in paint points. TTU checks in among the NCAA’s Top 40 in six categories sparked by a 48.6 field goal percentage which is 26th, a 1.35 assist-to- turnover ratio which is 28th and a 65.3 points per game scoring defense which is 38th. The Red Raiders lost at Kansas 85-68 on Jan. 7. Mason III poured in 26 points and Graham added 20 for KU. Mason sparked a 12-0 run that turned a five-point game into a rout, allowing the Jayhawks to remain perfect in 17 tries against Texas Tech at home.

Kansas at Texas Tech Expert Pick: Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas will win, but take TTU and the points here in a trap game for the Jayhawks.