Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Prediction and Odds for Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinal

The Iowa State Cyclones and Texas Tech Red Raiders tip-off in a few hours in Big 12 Tournament action.
The Iowa State Cyclones and Texas Tech Red Raiders tip-off in a few hours in Big 12 Tournament action. / Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
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The No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders are set to take on the Iowa State Cyclones tonight in Big 12 Tournament action. During the regular season, these two teams split games with both teams winning at home. Iowa State won by four on Jan. 5 while the Cyclones won by 12 a few weeks later.

Texas Tech enters this matchup as the stronger team and has won three of their last five games. The Red Raiders' losses during that stretch were to Oklahoma State and TCU. Both were on the road. Meanwhile, Iowa State also won three of their last five and also lost to Oklahoma State along with Baylor.

Both of those losses occurred on the road too. Here are the odds for this Big 12 brawl, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Iowa State +7.5 (-110)
  • Texas Tech -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Iowa State +280
  • Texas Tech -360

Total: 125.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Prediction and Pick

One major concern I have about taking Texas Tech here is how they finished the regular season. The Red Raiders lost their last three games against the spread and went 1-2 straight up. Those two losses came as betting favorites and showed me that this team might not be as good as their ranking suggests. Furthermore, the Red Raiders will likely be without Kevin McCullar.

The junior guard leads the team in both blocks and rebounds per game. But McCullar has played an average of just 16.6 minutes per game in the Red Raiders' last three. This would explain their recent issues but as of now, McCullars status is up in the air. Without confirmation, I have to assume that he will be limited to around 15 minutes again if he does play.

The Red Raiders are clearly struggling without a healthy McCullar and can’t be trusted to cover here. 

Pick: Iowa State +7.5 (-110)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE