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Texas Tech seems banged up and BYU seems to be shooting well. Take the Cougs on a short ML price
Texas Tech apparently will be again without center Warren Washington as he's seen in a boot currently as the teams warm up. Washington averages 9.9 points on 62% from the field along with 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. When the Red Raiders beat BYU in Lubbock this season, Washington had 19 points and nine rebounds. The team’s rim defense is eight percentage points worse with him off the court this year.
The line continues to move in BYU’s favor. The Red Raiders are without Warren Washington, who’s dealing with a foot injury. Without him, Texas Tech may struggle protecting the rim against scrappy, tough Cougars players downlow. BYU blew a 17-point lead in the only regular season meeting in Lubbock without Noah Waterman. The Red Raiders defense isn’t as efficient away from home as they’re 4-6 SU. The Cougars are 4-0 ATS this season on neutral courts.
BYU's offense looked crisp in their Big 12 Tournament debut and I expect the Cougars to stay in rhythm against a Texas Tech defense that has been vulnerable against the best teams on their schedule. Texas Tech won the only regular season meeting between these teams, but that was before the Red Raiders lost 7-0 big man Warren Washington to injury. Washington's absence will be felt against BYU's Aly Khalifa and I think that's the difference-maker in a close and competitive game.
Texas Tech is 1-11 ATS in its last 12 Big 12 Tournament games, and I like that trend to continue Thursday. The Red Raiders won the only regular-season meeting, 85-78 at home, but 7-foot senior Warren Washington played 37 minutes that night, racking up 19 points and nine rebounds. He has been out with a nagging foot injury and it's unclear if he'll play Thursday. Even if he does, there's no way he plays a full complement of minutes. That will spell trouble against a Cougars team that starts 6-11 Aly Khalifa and 6-11 Noah Waterman. Waterman missed the seven-point loss in Lubbock, Tex. The Cougars have won five of seven after Wednesday's 14-point win over Central Florida, including beating Baylor, Kansas and TCU.
Team Injuries
