The January 13th Kansas State at Texas Tech betting matchup looks like a good one on paper considering KSU has started 2023/24 with a record of 12-3 and the Red Raiders are 13-2. Both teams have started conference play 2-0, and K-State has won both of their true road games while TTU is a perfect 9-0 at home.
Despite the similar success of both squads this season, oddsmakers have Texas Tech a -6.5 favorite for Saturday afternoon’s matchup in Lubbock. That line seems on the high side, but each of the Red Raiders’ last six wins have come by double digits so this is a team locked in right now.
Why Kansas State Has Value at +6.5
KSU isn’t getting much love as +6.5 underdogs on Saturday afternoon. That seems disrespectful to a team that has won 9 of their last 10 and has won their first two Big 12 games by an average of 19.5 points.
The key to Kansas State’s game is playing solid defense, as they’ve held five of their last six opponents to 62 points or less. It’s much easier to cover a number in a lower scoring game and the Wildcats have an adjusted defensive efficiency that is 34th best in the country.
Just because K-State has the ability to play lock down defense doesn’t mean they can’t play offense as well and Tuesday’s 81-67 win at West Virginia was a prime example of that. That was the Wildcats’ highest point total over the last 8 games and it came on the road with the team shooting 54% from the field. Cam Carter had his third highest point total of the season in that game with 23.
Why Texas Tech Has Value at -6.5
Kansas State has two consecutive blowout wins under their belt but the Red Raiders have started their conference season with an 11-point win at Texas and then smoking Oklahoma State 90-73 on Tuesday night. Texas Tech has seven double-digit wins as part of their current eight game win streak.
The Wildcats have a fairly stout defense, but Texas Tech has gone for 90+ points in two of their last four games and have an adjusted offensive efficiency that 24th best in the nation. Throw in the fact that the Red Raiders are 9-0 at home and in a battle for 1st place in the Big 12 then this could very easily be another double digit win for the Red Raiders.
While Carter can certainly light it up for KSU, Texas Tech’s Pop Isaacs is in the zone right now. Isaacs had some rough shooting nights earlier in the season, but is dialed in averaging 23.5 ppg over his last four. Five other players also had at least 13 points in TTU’s win over Oklahoma State the last time out.
Free January 13th Kansas State at Texas Tech Betting Pick
6.5 points seems like a lot in a battle of two of the top teams in the Big 12 so far, but betting is split fairly evenly. This could be another big win for the Red Raiders – they’ve had a lot of them lately – but Kansas State is a quality team where getting +6.5 points is just too high.
Free Pick: Kansas State +6.5
