Kansas Jayhawks vs Texas Tech Red Raiders: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, TX, USA.

When: Saturday, February 23rd at 8pm EST.

How (TV/Radio): ESPN |

Kansas Jayhawks (Away)

Head Coach: Bill Self {Overall: 20-6, .769 W-L% | Conference: 9-4, T-2nd in Big 12}

The Jayhawks will look to improve their chances of extending their regular season conference title streak after getting a full week of rest. They face a tall task as they hit the road to west Texas against a revenge-filled Red Raiders team that has also received a week long break. Kansas handily won the first leg of the season series at Allen Fieldhouse 79-63, behind leading scorer Dedric Lawson who had a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds.

In their most recent game on February 16th, the short-handed Jayhawks beat down Big 12 basement dwelling West Virginia at home 78-53 as the Lawson brothers, Dedric and K.J. put up 14 and 15 points respectively in a game where they forced 24 turnovers against the Mountaineers.

Texas Tech Red Raiders(Home)

Head Coach: Chris Beard {Overall: 21-5, .808 W-L% | Conference: 9-4, T-2nd in Big 12}

Like their opponent, the Red Raiders are within an arms reach of the conference title, an achievement that would be the first in program history. Texas Tech will also like to even the score against the Jayhawks, which should be less of a challenge given home court advantage and the absence of Kansas guard, Lagerald Vick.

In their most recent game on February 16th, the Red Raiders hammered their in-state rival Baylor Bears 86-61. The Red Raiders were led in scoring by Jarrett Culver and Davide Moretti, who contributed 18 and 17 points respectively, while the bench chipped in with 31 points.

Kansas Roster Notes

Sophomore forward Silvio De Sousa is out for the season due to eligibility.

Sophomore guard Marcus Garrett is listed as questionable due to a high ankle sprain. Garrett has not played since January 29th.

Senior guard Lagerald Vick is out due to personal reasons.

Junior center Udoka Azubuike is out for the season with a wrist injury.

Texas Tech Roster Notes

Freshman guard/forward Khavon Moore is out for the season, as he is still rehabbing a broken leg suffered when he was in high school last season.

Head-to-Head: Devon Dotson vs Matt Mooney

Devon Dotson

Point Guard | 6-2, 185lb (188cm, 83kg) | Providence Day School | Charlotte, NC | Freshman

12.2 PPG | 3.7 APG | 3.8 RPG | 1.5 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 2.3 TOV | .500 FG% | .431 3P%

Matt Mooney

Point Guard | 6-3, 200lb (190cm, 90kg) | Notre Dame HS | Wauconda, IL | Graduate

10.7 PPG | 2.7 APG | 3.3 RPG | 1.8 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 2.3 TOV | .437 FG% | .377 3P%

A key matchup in this game comes at the lead guard spot between two players who have taken different paths to their current roles. Both players have been key facilitators on offense, while serving as valuable three point threats to compliment their leading scorers.

Devon Dotson arrived on campus as a McDonalds All-American recruit and has started every game as a freshman. Although he is unlikely to be a one-and-done prospect at this point in time, he has been far from a disappointment in Lawrence. Since the temporary departure of Lagerald Vick on January 29th, Dotson has averaged 18.2 points and 5.2 assists per game, which has been a huge help to Dedric Lawson.

Unlike Dotson, graduate student Matt Mooney has been around the block. After starting his career at the Air Force Academy, Mooney played two years at South Dakota before graduating and using his last year of eligibility at Texas Tech. Although he has not gone off on any scoring binges like Dotson (only one 20+ point game this season) his consistency and his ability to create turnovers has made him a valuable asset.

Kansas at Texas Tech Predictions and Odds

Texas Tech is a 6 point favourite according to oddsmakers, while the over/under is currently 135.