Place Your Bets: Texas Tech at Oklahoma State

Texas Tech (11-10, 1-5) at Oklahoma State (13-7, 2-4)

Wed Feb 4, 2009 at 9:00PM EST

Spread: Oklahoma State -12.5

Backcourt Advantage: Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State is a guard-heavy team who relies on the three point shot.  They are attempting 24 threes per game and making 10 of them.  But amazingly enough, they  attempted more threes in their four losses (27.5 per game) than they did in their two wins (18.5 per game).  What this means is that senior Byron Eaton (13.9 PPG, 5.8 APG) and the Cowboys must remain patient and work for good shots, instead of just settling for threes. 

Texas Tech, led by senior guard Alan Voskuil (13.5 PPG), likes to shoot the three as well, but has not had much success.  It's been a frustrating season for the Red Raiders and they will need Voskuil and running-mate John Roberson (14.6 PPG) to lead them to some victories soon before coach Pat Knight completely self-destructs.

Frontcourt Advantage: Texas Tech

This game will be won in the backcourt, but the Red Raiders have a little bit more size and depth on the front line.  It's hard to imagine more than one or two forwards on the court at a time in this contest, so the team who runs down the most long rebounds and loose balls will be the team that comes away with the much-needed victory.

Momentum: Texas Tech

Neither of these teams has momentum.  OSU is 1-4 in its last five and Tech is 1-6 in its last seven, but the edge has to go to coach Pat Knight and his Red Raiders.  After his tirade, ejection and second tirade on his way off the floor, he has seen enough and will have his team fired up and ready to play on the road.  I think OSU is the better team and should win the game, but will probably be a single-digit win.

Shaun's Pick: Texas Tech +12.5

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