There will be another ranked showdown in the Big 12, with two teams looking to vie for the conference title.
Brigham Young Cougars guard Jackson Robinson during a college basketball game between the Iowa State Cyclones and BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center on January 16, 2024 in Provo, Utah.
Photo Credit: Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images
A huge showdown is coming up in the Big 12 on Saturday, but the teams participating may not be the typical powerhouse teams that college basketball fans are used to seeing. The No. 20 BYU Cougars head to Lubbock, Texas to tangle with the No. 25 Texas Tech Red Raiders. Both teams have 14 wins and 3 losses this season. BYU enters this contest on a two-game winning streak, while Texas Tech saw his nine-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of Houston.
According to KenPom, BYU is one of the top teams in the country, ranking outside the top 10 in offensive efficiency but 10th in defensive efficiency. The Cougars are well-rounded and have proven their strength with wins over San Diego State, Arizona State, North Carolina State, and Iowa State.
The Red Raiders looked like a bit of a mirage for most of the season, losing big battles to Villanova and Butler early in the season. They have managed to perform well as of late, and a road win against a ranked Texas team is nothing to scoff at. But they may be punching a little above their weight at this point.
spread: Texas Tech -2
total:145
money line: Texas Tech -135, BYU +114
choose: BYU+2
The Cougars are the best team in the conference at 12-5 against the spread, while the Red Raiders are 8-9 ATS on the season. Texas Tech is 5-5 at home, but hasn't lost a home game all season. BYU is 0-3 ATS as a road team, but has gone straight up 1-2.
I don't necessarily think the Red Raiders are cheaters, but I don't think they're on the same level as BYU in terms of talent. I hope the Cougars get the job done on the road and hand Texas Tech their first home loss of the season.
