TCU vs Texas Tech Odds, Picks: Saturday NCAAB Betting Guide

TCU vs Texas Tech Odds

The Big 12 regular season is quickly coming to a close, but there’s still much to be decided for a conference that currently has eight teams projected to make the field of 68 when March rolls around.

One of these teams on the outside looking in is the Texas Tech Red Raiders. After dropping their first eight games in conference play, the Red Raiders have won five of their last seven.

This recent success has been the result of a Texas Tech roster finally at full strength. The Red Raiders have been a different team on both ends of the floor with the return of center Fardaws Aimaq and guard Pop Isaacs.

On the other side, TCU has been dealing with injury issues of its own. The Horned Frogs have dropped five of their last six games due to the absences of Mike Miles Jr. for five games and Eddie Lampkin for two.

While Miles has picked up where he left off pre-injury, Lampkin has taken some time to find his stride.

To pick which team will take this crucial opportunity to bolster its resume, let’s take a look at the odds and make a prediction for TCU vs. Texas Tech.

TCU’s season has taken quite a negative turn of late due to the injuries of Miles and Lampkin.

The importance of both players was put on full display in TCU’s 100-75 drubbing of Oklahoma State, the first game in which both were in the starting rotation since its Jan. 21 victory over Kansas.

Although Miles has returned to form, the same can’t be said for Lampkin, who has averaged just 2.3 points and 20 minutes in the Horned Frogs’ last three games.

In what will be a bounce-back spot for the Horned Frogs, I expect a progression in Lampkin’s performance, particularly on the glass. A quality performance on the boards will be critical against a Texas Tech team grabbing offensive rebounds at a 31.9% clip, the 75th-highest rate in the country.

In addition to this progression in defensive rebounding, TCU will be able to create havoc on the defensive end, translating directly into offense.

The Horned Frogs rank ninth nationally in quick points off breakaway steals, which will show against a Texas Tech team that struggles when it comes to dealing with pressure. The Red Raiders are averaging 14 turnovers per game as opponents snag the ball on 10.4% of their possessions (303rd nationally).

TCU ranks 23rd nationally in defensive turnover percentage, so look for the Frogs to make Texas Tech earn everything on the offensive end.

Mark Adams has Texas Tech playing its best basketball at just the right time. The Red Raiders have strung together four straight wins, placing them solidly on the bubble, according to multiple projections. A fifth win in a row over TCU will go a long way in continuing their momentum toward a postseason birth.

Defensively, the Red Raiders match up well against a TCU offense that thrives…