Texas Tech was without two key starters in their 69-61 loss to Houston Monday night, in Chance McMillian (15.1 PPG) and Darrion Williams (14.9 PPG). Both are questionable for Saturday’s game against Kansas, and their status will need to be monitored closely before tipoff. Meanwhile, leading scorer JT Toppin (17.2 PPG) has been incredible of late, averaging 24.0 PPG over his last six. The Red Raiders are currently 3rd in the Big 12 standings, and can effectively secure a double-bye to the quarterfinals in the conference tournament with a win Saturday.
On the other hand, Kansas is looking to get some momentum going after a disastrous regular season stretch that has them currently unranked. The Jayhawks were the #1 ranked team in the country in the AP Top 25 preseason poll and started the season 7-0 with key wins over Duke and Michigan State, but have since tumbled and now sit at 19-9 on the year.
Prominent transfers AJ Storr (6.0 PPG) and Rylan Griffen (6.9 PPG) have been thoroughly disappointing, and 5-star freshman Flory Bidunga (6.3 PPG) has struggled to get going. The Jayhawks are led by their veteran nucleus of Hunter Dickinson (16.8 PPG), Zeke Mayo (14.3 PPG), Dajuan Harris Jr. (9.4 PPG), and KJ Adams (8.3 PPG). Dickinson is coming off a dominant effort (season-high 32 points, 13 rebounds) against Colorado Monday night.
How to watch Texas Tech vs. Kansas
- Date: Saturday, March 1
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS
- How to Watch (TV): ESPN
- Streaming: fubo TV
- Texas Tech record: 21-7
- Kansas record: 19-9
Texas Tech vs. Kansas odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Texas Tech +140
- Kansas -165
Spread
- Texas Tech +3.5 (-110)
- Kansas -13.5 (-110)
Total
- 144.5 (over -110/under -110)
Texas Tech injury report
- Darrion Williams, F: Questionable (lower body)
- Chance McMillian, G: Questionable (lower body)
- Eemeli Yalaho, F: Questionable (upper body)
- Jazz Henderson, G: Out (lower body)
Kansas injury report
- Shakeel Moore, G: Questionable (undisclosed)
- Zach Clemence, F: Out (groin)
- Jamari McDowell, G: Out (redshirt)
- Noah Shelby, G: Out (undisclosed)
- Elmarko Jackson, G: Out (knee)
Kansas and Texas Tech series history
- Kansas all-time record vs. Texas Tech: 43-8
Texas Tech vs. Kansas prediction
There’s no doubt that Texas Tech has been the better team this year, sitting at 7th in KenPom’s Net Rating while Kansas is 20th – there’s a reason why Texas Tech is ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll and Kansas is unranked.
That being said, do not let rankings fool you. In reality, Kansas is only 2 games worse in overall record and actually boasts the nation's 5th best Defensive Rating per KenPom. Texas Tech is only 1-4 against ranked opponents this year, benefitting from a lighter non-conference schedule. The Jayhawks are absolutely loaded with veteran talent, and have proven they can beat the best of the best (Iowa State, Duke, Michigan State).
Between the home court advantage and Texas Tech’s injury woes, Kansas will pick up some steam this weekend with a big win over the Red Raiders.
Prediction: Kansas 76, Texas Tech 67