by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Jan 17, 2022
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Venue: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, TX
Where to watch: ESPNU
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: NL
Season record
No. 15 Iowa State: 14-3 (2-3 Big 12)
No. 18 Texas Tech: 13-4 (3-2 Big 12)
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Iowa State - Texas Tech preview, analysis and prediction
It was a weird weekend in college basketball and we have these two teams to thank for that.
Despite that odd week, I remain a fan of the Texas Tech Red Raiders and think they will get some much-needed revenge on the Iowa State Cyclones after an overall great week from the folks in Lubbock.
You couldn’t ask for a better week’s worth of games than what Texas Tech delivered last week. After losing in Ames to the Cyclones on Jan. 5, the Red Raiders responded with three straight wins -- Kansas, Baylor and Oklahoma State -- to establish a potential spot in the top-10.
Ironically enough that did not happen. Texas Tech moved up only one spot, while Iowa State remained at No. 15. None of what happened makes sense and I don't think it ever will when it comes to rankings.
Bryson Williams had 20 points and was the only TTU player to score in double figures, as the Red Raiders shot a combined 39.6 percent and were only 4 of 17 from 3-point range.
"I mean, guys were definitely fatigued," Williams said. "We played a lot of games in a short stretch. But this is a team that doesn't look for excuses. We just come out and know that every time we step out on the floor it's going to be a dogfight. This is the Big 12, the best conference in America. So we know that anybody we step on the floor with, we're gonna have to come and bring it."
While Texas Tech had a great week, it was not a fun time for Iowa State. The Cyclones started the new year with a 77-72 loss to No. 1 Baylor and followed that with a tough win against a shorthanded Texas Tech team four days later. Following that, Iowa State lost by 13 at Oklahoma and then lost 62-61 at Kansas three days later.
But Iowa State did contribute to that weird weekend of basketball by upsetting the No. 21 Texas Longhorns behind a game-high 22 points from Gabe Kalscheur and his six made 3-pointers. Iowa State shot almost 57 percent from the floor and had 22 assists on 29 made baskets.
"He brings so much defensively every night," Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said of Kalscheur. "He does so many winning things. I think when you do those aggressive things over and over, when you continue to stay in the gym and get shots, at some point it comes around for you."
If you ask me now, I still believe more in Texas Tech than I do Iowa State. The Red Raiders may only be 5-6 against the spread as a favorite this season and 25-35 over the past three seasons, but I firmly believe in the revenge factor, especially at home, with how well Texas Tech has played. Texas Tech by 10
Betting trends
Iowa State is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 against winning teams.
Iowa State is 4-1-1 ATS on the road in its last six.
Texas Tech is 4-0 ATS following a straight-up loss this season.
The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six.
Projected starting lineup
Iowa State:
PG: Tyrese Hunter
SG: Gabe Kalscheur
SF: Izaiah Brockington
PF: Tristan Enaruna
C: George Conditt IV
SF: Izaiah Brockington
PF: Tristan Enaruna
C: George Conditt IV
Texas Tech:
PG: Kevin McCullar
SG: Adonis Arms
SF: Davion Warren
PF: Bryson Williams
C: Kevin Obanor
SF: Davion Warren
PF: Bryson Williams
C: Kevin Obanor
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
