Texas Tech v Oklahoma State
The #15 Texas Tech Red Raiders lost two straight games to #14 West Virginia 82-71 and #23 Kansas 67-61, so they fell to the seventh spot of the Big 12 Conference standings with a 6-6 record, half a game behind sixth-placed Oklahoma State. The Cowboys, on the other side, won two games in a row, outlasting Kansas State 67-60 and Iowa State 76-58.
The Red Raiders meet the Cowboys for the second time this season. Back in January, Oklahoma State stunned Texas Tech in overtime as an 8.5-point road underdog, 82-77. It was the Cowboys’ second straight win over Texas Tech, and they are 7-2 ATS in the last nine encounters with the Red Raiders.
Monday’s clash at Gallagher-Iba Arena should be a thrilling one, too, and the visitors opened as slight 1.5-point favorites. It’s really hard to say who’ll win this battle, as little details could decide the winner. The Red Raiders look like a more balanced team than the Cowboys who mostly lean on their stout defense.
6⃣6⃣.7⃣ %@kalib_boone is on pace to break the school record for shooting percentage in a season.#NewEra I #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/gnYv7w854L
— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 21, 2021
While Texas Tech is 32nd in the country in offensive efficiency (112.9) and 24th in defensive efficiency (91.8), Oklahoma State scores 108.1 points per 100 possessions (85th) and allows 91.6 in a return (19th). The Red Raiders will rely on Mac McClung (16.9 PPG, 2.4 APG) down the stretch, while the Cowboys will look for their freshman star Cade Cunningham (18.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.7 APG).
The hosts will try to speed up things, as they play at a much faster pace than Texas Tech. The Cowboys are 13-3 straight up in their last 16 home games and 3-2 SU in the last five at home as underdogs, so we’re backing them to sweep the Red Raiders. But, frankly, this game could easily go either way.
College Basketball Pick – Oklahoma State by 1.
Oregon v USC
This season’s Pac-12 battle is a proper nail-biter. The #17 USC Trojans are tied with UCLA for a 12-3 record and the top spot in the conference, while the 9-3 Oregon Ducks are right behind, waiting for their chance. Therefore, Monday’s clash at Galen Center in Los Angeles has high stakes, and we’re about to see a hard-fought battle between the two old foes.
The Ducks are riding a five-game win streak following a 67-64 win over Utah this past Saturday. On the same day, the Trojans put an end to their seven-game winning streak with an 81-72 home loss to Arizona.
#SCoring leaders tonight:@evan_mobley7: 23 pts, 5 reb, 4 blk@2Teazy: 17 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast@ChevezGoodwin: 8 pts, 4 reb, 2 blk pic.twitter.com/zv0F1l6o3P
— USC Men’s Basketball (@USC_Hoops) February 21, 2021
We’re backing the hosts to win and cover because the Ducks lack height, though Oregon is a good defensive team. The Ducks rank 38th in defensive efficiency (94.1), 82nd in opponent field goal percentage (41.3%), and 72nd in opponent 3-point percentage (31.4%).
However, the 7-footer Evan Mobley (17.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG) should dominate Oregon in the paint, while Isaiah Mobley (9.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG) and Tahj Eaddy (13.8 PPG, 2.6 APG) could be X-factors. USC is an excellent defensive team and will look to bounce back from a heavy loss to Arizona. The Trojans yield just 91.0 points per 100 possessions (15th) on 38.5% shooting from the field (5th).
USC is 4-2 SU and ATS in its last six meetings with the Ducks and 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in its previous three home matchups with Oregon.
College Basketball Pick – USC by 4.
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