PREMIUM
GAME OF THE WEEK (Rogers' 10* NCAAB) >> PERFECT 3-0 L3 NCAAB!
(NCAAB) Texas Tech vs. Baylor,
Point Spread: 1.00 | -110.00 Baylor (Home)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 1.00 | -110.00 Baylor (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Texas Tech Red Raiders have responded to Chris Beard in his second season at Lubbock. After an 18-14 season last year, Texas Tech is 22-4 (10-3 in Big 12) and ranked No. 7 in the latest AP poll. The Red Raiders have won their past four games by a combined 59 points and their seven-game winning streak has vaulted them to the top of the conference standings. Meanwhile, the Baylor Bears have won four straight to move into a fifth-place tie in the Big 12 (at 6-7), while improving to 16-10 on the season..
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders have used a solid offense (76.7 PPG ranks 101st on 47.0% shooting, which ranks 61st) and the Big 12's best defense (62.7 PPG ranks 8th nationally) to get to where they currently are (Red Raiders are holding opponents to 39.4% shooting, which ranks 8th). Senior guard Keenan Evans leads the Red Raiders with 18.7 PPG. Texas Tech gets a combined 21.5 PPG from freshmen guards Jarrett Culver and Zhaire Smith. 6-9 center Orense Odiase adds just 4.5 PPG but also a team-high 5.0 RPG. He has come on strong in big games, recording 12 points and eight rebounds in an upset of Kansas and a season-high 14 points in Tuesday's win over Oklahoma.
Baylor: The Bears' 4-0 run has also been fueled by defense, holding its opponents to an average of 26 first-half points during the win streak after allowing 44.5 before halftime until that point this season. Senior guard Manu Lecomte leads the Bears with 16.8 points and 3.7 APG but has had more freedom to move without the ball since junior Jake Lindsey (5.1 & 3.3 APG) joined the starting lineup five games ago. The lineup change gives the Bears a strong bench, led by senior forward Terry Maston's 10.0 & 5.8. It has outscored opponents' benches 153-49 in the past five games. 7-0 senior Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (11 double-doubles) adds 14.5 PPG, a team-best 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.
The pick: The Bears lost their Big 12 opener at Texas Tech 77-53 on Dec. 29 but Lual-Acuil Jr. missed that game with a foot injury. Baylor struggled through the first half of conference play but the Bears have won four straight games and played their way back into the NCAA Tournament conversation. The Bears defeated then-No. 10 Kansas last Saturday in Waco and have a chance to make another strong impression if they can post a victory at home over a second top-10 opponent for the second straight Saturday. Baylor is 12-3 SU at home and earlier, I noted that the team has held its opponents to an average of 26 first-half points during its current win streak. Let me add here, that Baylor is 12-0 this season when leading at halftime! Make Baylor a 10* play.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders have used a solid offense (76.7 PPG ranks 101st on 47.0% shooting, which ranks 61st) and the Big 12's best defense (62.7 PPG ranks 8th nationally) to get to where they currently are (Red Raiders are holding opponents to 39.4% shooting, which ranks 8th). Senior guard Keenan Evans leads the Red Raiders with 18.7 PPG. Texas Tech gets a combined 21.5 PPG from freshmen guards Jarrett Culver and Zhaire Smith. 6-9 center Orense Odiase adds just 4.5 PPG but also a team-high 5.0 RPG. He has come on strong in big games, recording 12 points and eight rebounds in an upset of Kansas and a season-high 14 points in Tuesday's win over Oklahoma.
Baylor: The Bears' 4-0 run has also been fueled by defense, holding its opponents to an average of 26 first-half points during the win streak after allowing 44.5 before halftime until that point this season. Senior guard Manu Lecomte leads the Bears with 16.8 points and 3.7 APG but has had more freedom to move without the ball since junior Jake Lindsey (5.1 & 3.3 APG) joined the starting lineup five games ago. The lineup change gives the Bears a strong bench, led by senior forward Terry Maston's 10.0 & 5.8. It has outscored opponents' benches 153-49 in the past five games. 7-0 senior Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (11 double-doubles) adds 14.5 PPG, a team-best 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.
The pick: The Bears lost their Big 12 opener at Texas Tech 77-53 on Dec. 29 but Lual-Acuil Jr. missed that game with a foot injury. Baylor struggled through the first half of conference play but the Bears have won four straight games and played their way back into the NCAA Tournament conversation. The Bears defeated then-No. 10 Kansas last Saturday in Waco and have a chance to make another strong impression if they can post a victory at home over a second top-10 opponent for the second straight Saturday. Baylor is 12-3 SU at home and earlier, I noted that the team has held its opponents to an average of 26 first-half points during its current win streak. Let me add here, that Baylor is 12-0 this season when leading at halftime! Make Baylor a 10* play.
