NCAA Basketball: Best Bets for the Big 12/SEC Challenge

Jan 21, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates with forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Chris Beard address the media during the Big 12 Basketball Media Day at the Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

LSU at Texas Tech (-14)

Here are the loss totals during LSU’s six-game losing streak: 17, 30, 15, four, 13 and 25.

Expect Texas Tech to cover this one. Head coach Chris Beard has the Red Raiders competing for an NCAA Tournament spot and on Tuesday night, they went toe-to-toe with Baylor on the road. It is not a team that is full of names that are recognizable nationally, but Texas Tech plays well together and holds a KenPom top 35 offense.

LSU, on the other hand, is an absolute mess. It is hard to think that Ben Simmons was playing for them last season. I guess that did not go so well either (from a team standpoint, Simmons was awesome).

The fat lady has to be singing on the tenure of Johnny Jones. The Tigers look overmatched and disinterested and the calls from the sidelines are mostly…um…poor.

2016-17 Vegas stats back Texas Tech in this match-up as well. LSU is just 6-12 against the spread this season. This includes a horrible 1-6 mark on the road. The Red Raiders have a respectable 9-6 mark at home.

The Red Raiders really need this game. They are 2-3 over their last five and can ill afford to drop a game against one of the worst Power 5 teams in the country. It might be a bit scary to give up 14 points to a team that is unranked, but expect Texas Tech to come out focused and steam role the hapless Tigers by around 20 points.

Pick: Texas Tech (-14)

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