Texas Tech vs. Kansas: Odds, final score predictions from ESPN, KenPom

No. 6 Kansas (27-6, 14-4, Big 12) battle the No. 21-ranked Texas Texas Red Raiders (25-8, 12-6, Big 12) on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET in the Big 12 Championship game. Here’s how to watch, Vegas odds, ESPN BPI predictions and KenPom game predictions as well for both teams ahead of huge Saturday’s SEC clash. With a victory, Kansas will win their 12th Big 12 Tournament Championship, while Texas Tech seeks its first in program history.

How to watch Texas Tech vs. Kansas

Time: 6 p.m. ET/5p.m. CT

Channel: ESPN

Location: Kansas City, MO

Odds

Money line: Kansas -123, Texas Tech +100.

Spread: Kansas -1.5, -110. Texas Tech +61.5, -115.

Total: Over/Under 134.5, -110.

Check out the rest of Vegas’ odds ahead of Saturday’s college game day slate.

ESPN BPI predictions 

Matchup quality: 90.6%

Win probability: Kansas, 67.6%

Predicted point differential:4.8

‘The College Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of performance going forward. BPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Strength of Record (SOR) is a measure of team accomplishment based on how difficult a team’s W-L record is to achieve. 

Game predictions account for opponent strength, pace of play, site, travel distance, day’s rest and altitude, and are used to simulate the season 10,000 times to produce season projections. Numbers update daily,’ per ESPN.

For the rest of ESPN’s BPI predictions, click here.

KenPom predictions

Score prediction: Kansas 70, Texas Tech 68. 

Win probability: Kansas, 56%. 

Check out the rest of KenPom’s predictions for Kansas vs. Texas Tech, and the rest of college basketball here.

Kansas vs. Texas Tech Preview

Not only does this matchup have the highest of implications regarding the Big 12 championship, it also is a must-win for Kansas to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament next week. Sitting on the fringe of the 1-2 seed range, the Jayhawks can all but secure their spot atop their own respective bracket with a Big 12 Championship win.

Texas Tech likely has a 3-seed locked up win or lose, but the Big 12 Tournament crown will be just as sweet without tournament implications. The Red Raiders have only made one conference tournament finals in program history, and have never won it. To beat a Kansas team that wins the Big 12 on a near-yearly basis will make the title worth the wait if you’re a Red Raider fan.

The two teams split their season series in January. Texas Tech earned a 75-67 win over the Jayhawks in Corpus Cristi, and Kansas protected their home court with a 94-91 overtime barn-burner just two weeks later. Now it’s time for the rubber match, and this time it’s all or nothing for both squads.