Big 12 Conference Odds: Kansas Large Favorites over Kansas State
Big 12 Conference Has Impressive Saturday Schedule
The Big 12 Conference odds have the Jayhawks as good-sized favorites over their instate rivals Tuesday, while TCU is expected to get a tough test from West Virginia. The ‘Battle for Oklahoma’ takes place Wednesday, but Saturday’s slate is impressive. There are two games involving a pair of ranked teams, along with several other ranked teams getting tough challenges. It’s one of the better schedules in the Big 12 Conference this season.
Tuesday, Jan. 31
Kansas State Wildcats vs Kansas Jayhawks
Date & Time:
Location: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, Kansas)
Streaming: ESPN+
The Big 12 Conference odds show Kansas (17-4) as 7-point favorites over Kansas State (18-3) with a total of 146.5. This is a big revenge game for the Jayhawks, who lost 83-82 in overtime at Kansas State two weeks ago.
Kansas comes into this one having beaten Kentucky to end a three-game losing streak. Kansas gets a slight edge offensively and defensively, although it’s close.
The primary reason the line is this high is Allen Fieldhouse and the revenge factor. The Wildcats are strong defending the 3-pointer but the Jayhawks score fewer than 30% of their points from long range.
Kansas should have some success inside, where Kansas State doesn’t defend as well.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs TCU Horned Frogs
Date & Time:
Location: Schollmaier Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
Streaming: ESPNU
The college basketball point spreads have TCU -3.5 over West Virginia with a total of 145. The Horned Frogs (16-5) are much better defensively than the Mountaineers (13-8) but West Virginia gets the edge on offense.
TCU is dreadful shooting the 3-pointer, where the Horned Frogs hit just 29.5%. West Virginia allows more than 50% shooting from 2-point range, which is where TCU needs to attack.
The Mountaineers do a good job of getting to the foul line and TCU will have to play smart on defense. West Virginia won 74-65 a few weeks ago and think TCU can return the favor in this one.
Wednesday, Feb. 1
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Oklahoma Sooners
Date & Time:
Location: Lloyd Noble Center (Norman, Oklahoma)
Streaming: ESPN2
The Big 12 Conference odds will have the Sooners about a 3-point favorite in this revenge game. The total will be about 130. The Cowboys took it to the Sooners 72-56 on Jan. 18, so Oklahoma will be looking to return the favor.
The Sooners shoot the ball extremely well but hurt themselves with turnovers. That’s something Oklahoma can’t afford here, as the Cowboys are tough enough to score on without a reduction in shots.
The Sooners led 30-24 at halftime in the first game, only to see the Cowboys go on a 31-16 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Sooners can win this one but have to play a clean game.
Saturday, Feb. 4
Kansas Jayhawks vs Iowa State Cyclones
Date & Time:
Location: Hilton Coliseum (Ames, Iowa)
Streaming: ESPN
Iowa State will be looking to make amends for a 62-60 loss at Kansas when it hosts the Jayhawks on Saturday.
This one will be close to even with a total near 134. The first meeting was close throughout the game but the Jayhawks used 59.3% shooting from 2-point range to take the win. Both defenses are strong and Kansas is a little better offensively.
The Cyclones aren’t a great shooting team but are able to get some second chances by hitting the offensive boards. Iowa State leads the country in forced turnovers but Kansas only had 12 in the first game.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Baylor Bears
Date & Time:
Location: Ferrell Center (Waco, Texas)
Streaming: CBS
The Big 12 Conference odds will have Baylor about a 9-point favorite here with a total close to 146. The Bears won the first meeting between the two by an 81-74 final.
The Bears made just three turnovers the entire game and as a result attempted five more field goals and three more free throws.
Texas Tech didn’t help itself by going 8 for 15 at the foul line. Baylor is coming off a tough game with Texas and have tougher foes than the Red Raiders on tap, so this could be a bit of a letdown spot for Baylor. If you can get Texas Tech +8 or more, the Red Raiders should be in your NCAA picks and parlays for Saturday.
Texas Longhorns vs Kansas State Wildcats
Date & Time:
Location: Bramlage Coliseum (Manhattan, Kansas)
Streaming: ESPN2
This game will also be close to even with a total around 150. It’s safe to say there will be less scoring than the first game, which was won by Kansas State 116-103 in regulation.
The Wildcats had two players score at least 28 points and shot 63.9% from 2-point range and 54.2% from 3-point range. Kansas State was also 31 of 33 from the free throw line. Texas needs to score from inside to prevent a season sweep.
Oklahoma Sooners vs West Virginia Mountaineers
Date & Time:
Location: WVU Coliseum (Morgantown, West Virginia)
Streaming: ESPN2
West Virginia will be favored by about 6 points with a total near 140 on this one. The Sooners won by a point, 77-76, earlier this season, so this is a game the Mountaineers have been waiting for. The Mountaineers get slight advantages on offense and defense but there isn’t a huge talent gap between the two teams.
The Sooners defend the 3-pointer well and West Virginia scores more than 35% of its points from 3-point range. Both teams are coming off tough games, so it might be asking too much from the Mountaineers to cover a fairly high number.
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