The Kansas Jayhawks will have a tough test on the road against the Texas Tech Red Raiders Saturday afternoon.
The Jayhawks are currently on an eight-game winning streak, knocking off Oklahoma State, on the road, 74-63 most recently.
On the other hand, Texas Tech is 10-3 on the season and just lost to Iowa State, on the road, 51-47.
Can Texas Tech turn things around, at home, and become the first Big 12 team to beat Kansas? Here are our college basketball picks and predictions for Kansas vs Texas Tech on January 8.
Kansas vs Texas Tech odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Kansas opened as a 5- point favorite but has now dipped to as low as -4 at some markets. The total opened at 140.5 and is starting to trend to the Under with multiple books moving the total to 140.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.
Kansas vs Texas Tech predictions
Predictions made on 1/8/2022 at 7:50 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Kansas vs Texas Tech game info
• Location: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, TX
• Date: Saturday, January 8, 2022
• Tip-off: 4:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN3
Kansas at Texas Tech betting preview
Injuries
Kansas: Bob Pettiford G (Out).
Texas Tech: Kevin McCullar G (Questionable), Terrence Shannon Jr. G (Questionable), Ethan Duncan G (Out), Mylik Wilson G (Out).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Red Raiders are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games. Find more NCAA betting trends for Kansas vs. Texas Tech.
Kansas vs Texas Tech picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
The Kansas Jayhawks are currently one of the best offenses in the nation. However, that offense will have to try to score against one of the best defenses in the nation.
When Kansas has the ball against Texas Tech, it’s going to be an exciting matchup. Kansas is shooting a 57.1% effective field goal percentage while turning the ball over just 16.6% of the time.
The Jayhawks grab 35.3% offensive rebounds and shoot 37.2% from long range while also hitting 57.7% inside.
However, Texas Tech could be the one team to stop Kansas’ attack. The Red Raiders are holding opponents to a 44.9% effective field goal percentage. Plus, Texas Tech continues to earn a high number of steals and turnovers while limiting teams on the offensive glass in a big way.
Texas Tech is forcing 24.5% turnovers on defense and allowing opponents to grab 23.4% offensive rebounds. Texas Tech is one of the few teams that can limit Kansas on the defensive end. The Red Raiders have also held opponents to just 30.8% from three-point range and 43.5% from inside the arc on the season.
On the other hand, Texas Tech will turn the ball over at a high rate, but the Red Raiders have been just as dominant on the offensive glass in comparison to Kansas. Texas Tech is earning 38.7% offensive rebounds and figures to get more opportunity than Kansas in this game.
The Red Raiders are hitting nearly 34% from downtown and 55.5% from inside the arc. You will see Texas Tech take more 3-point attempts, and that’s an area where Kansas has been worse defensively than Texas Tech.
At home, I like Texas Tech to pull off a stunner. But I’ll play it safe and grab Texas Tech with the points.
Prediction: Texas Tech +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
The total at 140.5 sounds about right. While both teams usually light it up from the field, the defense should play a factor in this game.
Like I suggested earlier, Texas Tech might be one of the only teams that could prevent Kansas from scoring 70 points or more on a given night.
Both teams earn a heavy amount of turnovers and limit second chances. So, while Tech might shoot at a high percentage from downtown, I still like my chances of hitting the Under in this game.
Defense usually wins in these types of games.
Prediction: Under 140.5 (-110)
Best bet
I’m going to stick with Red Raiders against the spread for my best bet. Kansas has been rolling this season and Tech is coming off a deflating loss.
You can be sure that Texas Tech and its fanbase will erupt in tonight’s game. Texas Tech’s defense is stellar, but the offense is going to need to produce as well.
Against Kansas, Tech should be able to earn offensive rebounds and get quality looks from long range while also shooting at a high percentage inside.
Pick: Texas Tech +4.5 (-110)
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