The Kansas Jayhawks hit the road to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Monday night in a Big Monday match up on ESPN. Texas Tech is coming off a loss to UCF on Saturday, while Kansas beat BYU at home this past weekend. Here’s a preview, prediction, key storylines and updated odds to keep an eye on in this match up as we get set for the game tonight in Lubbock, Texas.
Kansas vs. Texas Tech Odds
Texas Tech opened up as a 3.5-point favorite when the line dropped on Sunday night, with an over/under of 150.5 total points. By Monday morning, the spread increased for Texas Tech, up to a 4.5-point favorite, and an over/under of 154.5 total points. The spread and over/under has not changed as of mid-afternoon on Monday.
And as we inch towards the NCAA Tournament, here’s the latest look at your March Madness odds.
Key Storyline: Darryn Peterson’s Plan
On Saturday vs. BYU, Darryn Peterson played the best basketball imaginable in the opening 20 minutes. Then, due to cramps, he barely played in the second half as Kansas struggled to hold on for a win over the Cougars. How much Darryn Peterson are we going to get on Big Monday? The Kansas vs. Texas Tech injury report does not have Peterson’s name on it, but does that really matter at this point?
Match Up to Watch: Texas Tech From Three
The Red Raiders are the second-best three-point shooting team in the Big 12, hitting 39.1% from three-point range this season, trailing only Iowa State. They’ve also taken the most three pointers in the Big 12 (239). Kansas has the best three-point defense in the Big 12, only allowing teams to make 29.4% from three. Which side wins out in this match up could determine this game.
Prediction: Texas Tech 80, Kansas 74
It’s such a hard game to predict, due to the Peterson issue, but given Tech is home off a road loss to UCF, there is extra motivation with a Lubbock crowd that is going to be elite. And if Peterson is still dealing with cramps, then forget it. They’re not the same team. And if Peterson can’t play a full 30 minutes on Monday night, KU doesn’t have the depth to make up for it. They won’t be able to slow down JT Toppin and Christian Anderson. I’m rolling with Texas Tech at home.
