The Kansas State Wildcats take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock, Texas. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Texas Tech is favored by 16.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -2400. The total is set at 159 points.
Here’s my Kansas State vs. Texas Tech predictions and college basketball picks for February 21, 2026.
Kansas State vs Texas Tech Prediction
My Pick: Christian Anderson Over Points | Anderson Over 3-Pointers Made
My Kansas State vs Texas Tech best bet is on Christian Anderson to hit his over on both points and 3s made. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Kansas State vs Texas Tech Odds
| Kansas State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+16.5 -110 | 159 -110 / -110 | +1200 |
| Texas Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-16.5 -110 | 159 -110 / -110 | -2400 |
- Kansas State vs Texas Tech spread: Texas Tech -16.5
- Kansas State vs Texas Tech over/under: 159 points
- Kansas State vs Texas Tech moneyline: Kansas State +1200, Texas Tech -2400
Kansas State vs Texas Tech College Basketball Betting Preview
Kansas State Basketball
Kansas State enters this game with a 11-15 overall record, with just two wins in its first 13 conference matchups.
That included the firing of Jerome Tang, who was dumped following Kansas State's loss to Houston last Saturday.
In response to that move, Kansas State beat Baylor by 16 points on Tuesday.
Leading the way for this Wildcats offense is 6-foot-4 junior guard P.J. Haggerty. This is Haggerty’s fourth team in as many years, most notably playing for Memphis last season.
He's an exceptional scorer, averaging 23.3 points per game, which ranks second nationally. Haggerty is also posting over five rebounds and four assists a night.
While Haggerty is having a phenomenal campaign, the same can't be said for the rest of the squad, as it has just two other players posting double-figure scoring efforts.
While Kansas State ranks outside the top 80 in the country in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom, the Wildcats are even worse on the other end of the floor, allowing over 80 points per game. Per Haslametrics, Kansas State ranks 108th nationally in defensive efficiency.
Texas Tech Basketball
Texas Tech enters this game with a 19-7 overall record, and it's fresh off devastating news earlier this week. In the first half of Tuesday’s game vs. Arizona State, Tech’s star forward JT Toppin suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
The Red Raiders' superstar wasn't just one of the best players in the Big 12, but in the entire country. Toppin was one of a few names considered for the Naismith Player of the Year Award, given to the best player in college basketball.
Toppin was posting over 22 points and 11 rebounds per game.
As a bettor with Tech futures, I had a ton of faith in a Red Raiders team with Final Four aspirations and legitimate national champion upside. At full strength, Texas Tech had a great tournament resume, boasting victories over the likes of Duke, Houston, BYU and Arizona.
The Red Raiders rank inside the top 25 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. Evident through its several Quad I victories, Tech really established itself as a team that could beat anyone in the country on any given day.
Now the Red Raiders must proceed without a top-five talent. In my opinion, losing Toppin for the remainder of the season completely changed the trajectory of this Red Raiders team — from a legitimate national title contender to a mid-level tournament team.
Texas Tech will now look to 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Christian Anderson to pick up the slack in Toppin’s absence. Anderson had already been one of the most underrated players in the entire country, posting 19 points per game with an uncanny ability to light it up from beyond the arc.
Anderson is averaging 7.6 assists per contest as well, which ranks third in the nation.
Kansas State vs Texas Tech Betting Analysis
I don't have much interest in backing a side in this matchup, as the Red Raiders are playing without one of the best players in the sport.
While I think Tech prevailing on Saturday is rather likely — even without Toppin — I have no interest in laying the Red Raiders to cover any number in their first game without him.
Instead, I'll be looking at Christian Anderson to exceed both his regular points total and made 3-pointer total. I expect Anderson’s volume to be plentiful as he claims a new role as the Red Raiders’ lone go-to guy.
My Pick: Christian Anderson Over Points Prop | Anderson Over 3-Points Made Prop
