Kansas has been the best team in College Basketball this season but the Jayhawks certainly weren’t going to get anything easy playing in Lubbock. The Jayhawks notably came into this game needing to win this game to win the league title outright. Despite a great rating in the metrics, the Red Raiders very much entered into this game needing to win to secure an at-large bid. For 40 minutes this game was competitive but in the end, the Jayhawks found a way to win and become the first team ever in the Big 12 to win 17 regular-season conference games in a season.
Kansas was leading pretty much throughout the game but Texas Tech kept it close throughout. With Texas Tech down 3, TJ Holyfield hit a game-tying three to tie the game with 2:11 left. With under a minute left, it was Udoka Azubuike who got an offensive rebound that put the Jayhawks up by 2, the Red Raiders’ next possession led to a turnover that gave Christian Braun a transition score to give Kansas a four-point lead. Texas Tech kept things interesting but with the game on the line, Davide Moretti’s three-point shot missed badly and with no foul called, Kansas survived. Devon Dotson led the Jayhawks with 17 points, while Udoka Azubuike had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Davide Moretti led all scores with 18.
The theme coming into this game was to win the league title outright, which would have been done with a win in this game. “Everyone in the locker room, that was our goal, to win it outright and don’t share anything,” Kansas guard Devon Dotson said. “For us to go 17-1 is big. Hopefully, we can build off of it. We’re not satisfied. We have bigger goals and aspirations, but we can build off of this.”
Next up for both teams will be the Big 12 Tournament, Kansas will be the one seed in the league tournament, their opponent is still to be determined. For Texas Tech, they will be in the 4-5 matchup playing against Texas in what could be a win and you’re in, game for Texas Tech. The two teams could potentially matchup in the Big 12 semifinals on Friday.
Bracketology Effect: Kansas maintains its position as the number one overall seed, with this win Kansas has also clinched the number one overall seed. Texas Tech remains an 11 seed and is the lowest-rated non-First Four team.
Betting Effect: Kansas -3 Under 133.5