Thursday’s Big 12 Predictions
The 2018 Big 12 Tournament holds four quarterfinal matchups on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Here’s our predictions for today’s slate of games.
*Note – We will adds picks for the other games as their odds come out. Be sure to check back.
701 TCU -2.5 vs. 702 Kansas State, 12:30PM ET (ESPN2)
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, TCU is the slight favorite in this game, as the Horned Frogs are getting odds of -2.5 points against Kansas State. This is the 4-5 meeting of the Big 12 Tournament. These two split the two meetings during the season, with the home team covering and winning in each contest. This is definitely a tough matchup, but I ultimately like TCU’s offensive production. The Horned Frogs average nearly 84 points per game and that allows it to be a threat not matter if it falls behind early. Kansas State doesn’t have the same luxury. If it’s defense isn’t playing well, the Wildcats aren’t winning. I look for TCU’s offense to lead it to another win and cover today. BIG 12 PREDICTIONS: 701 TCU -2.5
Bet on Big 12 for Thursday, March 8, 2018
703 Oklahoma State +5 vs. 704 Kansas, 2:30PM ET (ESPN2)
Is it possible that Oklahoma State can beat Kansas for a third time? Oddsmakers don’t see it happening, with Kansas listed as a 3-point favorite. However, the Cowboys just dominated the Jayhawks by 18 points five days ago. Oklahoma State has also covered in five straight games and is playing some of its best basketball right now. Kansas is the better team on paper, but the Jayhawks seem to struggle with lesser competition. BIG 12 PREDICTIONS: 703 OKLAHOMA STATE +5
Matchup histories for Thursday, March 8, 2018
705 Texas +6.5 vs. 706 Texas Tech, 7PM ET (ESPN2)
Oddsmakers are giving Texas Tech a decent spread to cover here, as the Red Raiders are a 6.5-point favorite against the Longhorns. These two split the season series, but Texas covered the spread in both meetings. Also, Texas Tech is not playing well as of late. The Red Raiders have lost four of their last five and are 0-4-1 against the spread in those games. While Texas is dealing with injuries, it hasn’t kept it from winning. I think the Longhorns play competitively tonight and cover this spread. BIG 12 PREDICTIONS: 705 TEXAS +6.5
Who is the public betting on tonight?
707 Baylor +5 vs. 708 West Virginia, 9PM ET (ESPN2)
West Virginia is a 5-point favorite as the third seed, facing sixth-seeded Baylor. The Mountaineers won both matchups this season, but the two split at the betting window, with the road team covering in each instance. WVU has been a hard team to rely on, as it has been very inconsistent with winning and covering. However, Baylor is a team that needs a good defensive effort to win, and the Bears have been struggling somewhat defensively. West Virginia comes in having scored at least 79 points in its last three and the Mountaineers have the capability to match Baylor with its own defense. I think WVU’s athleticism will give it the edge against the Bears. BIG 12 PREDICTIONS: 708 WEST VIRGINIA -5