Big 12 Basketball Betting: Wagering on the Nation’s Best Conference
Kansas at Kansas State the Game of the Week

This week’s Big 12 basketball betting schedule appears to be a treat for college basketball fans and bettors alike. There are three games involving teams ranked in the top 15, along with a number of games where ranked teams will be underdogs. The Big 12 Conference is No. 1 in the Sagarin college basketball ratings. All 10 teams in the conference are ranked in Sagarin’s top 45.
Tuesday, Jan. 17
The week starts off with a bang, as Kansas (16-1) visits rival Kansas State (15-2). The Jayhawks are favored by 2.5 points and the total is 147.5. Kansas’ MJ Rice has missed the last three games with back spasms and it’s unknown if he’ll play here. Check the latest college basketball injury report for any updates. Kansas scores more than 30% of its points from 3-point range and the Wildcats defend the 3-pointer better than the 2-pointer. The Wildcats are a better 2-point shooting team, but Kansas is better defensively on the inside. If the Wildcats can cut down the turnovers, they can take this one to the wire.
The Big 12 basketball betting odds show the Iowa State (13-3) favored by 2 over Texas (15-2) with a total of 131.5. Iowa State is better defensively but Texas has a good-sized advantage on the offensive end. The Cyclones aren’t all that bad from the field, but they turn the ball far too much and are bad at the foul line. Iowa State is No. 1 in the nation at forcing turnovers but Texas is a step ahead when protecting the ball. The total is low and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see these two squeak out enough points to send the game over.
Texas Tech (10-7) is favored by 2.5 over Baylor (12-5) and the total on the game is 146.5. The Red Raiders aren’t nearly as good on offense as they are on defense, while Baylor is a much better offensive team. The Bears are ranked but that wasn’t enough to make them favorites here. Both NCAAB teams can get sloppy with the ball, ranking in the bottom half of college basketball in turnover percentage. With fewer shots attempted, the under might be good to use for one of your NCAAB picks.
Wednesday, Jan. 18
TCU (14-3) enters this game ranked No. 14 in the country but expect West Virginia (10-7) to be small favorites in this one. The line should be Mountaineers -2 with a total close to 146. The Horned Frogs would be even better if they weren’t so bad from 3-point range, where the team shoots 28.8%. That’s also the weak spot in the West Virginia defense but can’t expect TCU to be able to take advantage. If the line is WVU -2 or less, the Mountaineers look like a decent play.
Oklahoma (11-6) visits Oklahoma State (9-8) in a rivalry game and the Cowboys are likely to be small favorites with a total close to 128. The Cowboys are one of the best teams in the country defensively but just a little better than average on the offensive end. Despite being No. 281 in the country in 3-pointers, the Cowboys shoot plenty of them and the Sooners are one of the best 3-point defending teams in the country. A tough matchup for Oklahoma State and the Sooners may be the right side getting points.
Saturday, Jan. 21
The Jayhawks are going to be favored by close to 8 points with a total near 145. Both teams are going to be coming off tough games earlier in the week and that could have an impact on what happens here. If TCU gets past West Virginia, the Jayhawks look a little better in this spot. Kansas is better on both ends of the court but TCU’s 3-point defense is capable of slowing down a key part of Kansas’ game.
Oklahoma isn’t quite as good as Baylor on offense but the Sooners get the edge on defense. Along with home court advantage, that could be enough to get Oklahoma past Baylor in another good Big 12 basketball betting day. The game will be close to even and if the Sooners can play a relatively clean game, they’re more than capable of pulling out the victory. The Sooners at anything better than -1 should be one of your NCAAB picks for the day.
Another game that will be close to even in the betting odds, the Longhorns and Mountaineers do battle after having a tough game earlier in the week. West Virginia has the luxury of remaining at home this week, while the Longhorns have stops in Iowa and West Virginia. Both teams are capable of putting up the points but West Virginia’s foul shooting woes can be a concern in a close game. Still, the Mountaineers are probably the side you want to be on here.
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