NCAAB: West Virginia vs. Texas Tech odds, preview, and pick

The battle for the Big 12 regular-season title looks to be nearly settled, as the Baylor Bears are still undefeated in conference play and appear impenetrable in their pursuit of perfection.

The race for second place, however, is intriguing, with five teams within a game of the No. 2 spot. Two of those teams are the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and they will face off Tuesday night in Lubbock.

West Virginia on the upswing

West Virginia is 13-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play. The 17th-ranked Mountaineers recently defeated Kansas, 91-79, and redeemed one of their losses from earlier in the year. They have won four of their last five games, and all of their losses, other than their first matchup against Kansas, have been by five points or fewer.

The Mountaineers are led by Miles McBride, a scoring guard who leads the team with 15.8 points and 4.6 assists per game. He plays the most minutes per game of any player on the team and is a lethal three-point shooter (44.1%). In true West Virginia fashion, he is also more than happy to pick opposing players’ pockets and averages 1.9 steals per game. 

In the first matchup between these teams, McBride had 24 points and six assists in an 88-87 victory.

Texas Tech has no bad losses

Texas Tech is 14-5 and 6-4 in conference play, but surprisingly enters ranked better nationally (13th) than the Mountaineers despite a head-to-head loss and a weaker schedule. The Red Raiders have won three straight, including an impressive defensive struggle against No. 9 Oklahoma. Their last loss was the first matchup between these teams, and all five of their losses can be described as “good” losses.

Tech has developed a reputation in recent years as a defensive heavyweight. The Red Raiders rank 13th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings, with just 90 points allowed per 100 possessions.

At home, they are especially stout. They block 9.9% of opposing shots and allow just 38.8% shooting in Lubbock.

Texas Tech will find a way against West Virginia

While West Virginia got the better of Texas Tech in the first matchup — thanks to a late McBride three, after the Mountaineers trailed by double digits and through most of the second half — the Texas Tech defense will get redemption and defend its home court.

Texas Tech’s Mac McClung scored 30 points in the first matchup, and if the defense can tighten up, that should make the difference.

Score prediction: Texas Tech 80, West Virginia 75