Senior Night Predictions: Texas Tech Red Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks
Senior Night. Those two words hold a special place in the hearts of many a Kansas Jayhawks fan. And for good reason. Any fan under 40 has not been alive to see a loss during a night where the Jayhawks have celebrated their seniors. But tonight's opponent is a team that is desperate for a win to keep their NCAA hopes alive: the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
After plenty of close calls at home, Kansas seems to have found a way to do just enough to make sure their fans go home happy. And with Tech transfer Kevin McCullar being celebrated with fourth-year junior Jalen Wilson tonight, you can expect this team to be hyped up for this one. But will they come into this game with too much emotion and leave the door open for a hungry Texas Tech team? Or will they harness that emotion to wrap up a share of the regular season Big 12 title? Our crew shares their thoughts below.
Do you disagree with our assessment? Make sure you read them all and then hop over to the Discord or on Twitter to share your own thoughts.
Kyle Davis
Check out our Texas Tech Preview for Kyle's full breakdown and prediction.
Lucas Murphy
The Kansas Jayhawks squeak out a victory against West Virginia and will now welcome the Texas Tech Red Raiders to Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks are going to get the best from every team they play, they are the defending champs. I expect the same from the Red Raiders, but it will be in an amazing environment brought to you by the Kansas faithful. I look for McCullar to have a revenge game and I believe Jalen Wilson will impress once again.
Kansas 78, Texas Tech 65.
Derek Noll
Senior Night at Allen Fieldhouse, one of the greatest atmospheres in all of sports. The Fieldhouse will be juiced to see KU clinch at least a tie of the Big XII championship and I expect the Jayhawks to get it done. Kevin Obaner will be the one to stop as he leads Texas Tech in scoring and rebounding, but after Kansas got a scare from West Virginia on Saturday, I expect KU to come out fully focused and put on a show for the fans. Not much else to say here except that it’s always awesome when they parade the trophies out there for everyone to see. Let’s go out and win the toughest conference in the history of college basketball, shall we?
Kansas 80, Texas Tech 67.
Brendan Dzwierzynski
There’s a couple different trends that should favor the Jayhawks in this matchup. For one, like Derek already pointed out, Senior Night is a pretty special time at Allen Fieldhouse and it’s been a successful one, too: KU has won 39 consecutive Senior Night/Day games. That’s astounding. Kansas is also 21-1 at home against Texas Tech all time, plus there’s a lot riding on this game. A win means the Jayhawks own at least a share of the Big 12 title this year, and I’m not going to bet against Bill Self’s squad in a home game that’s that meaningful. As long as KU avoids the somewhat typical home finale missteps (remember last year’s near loss to Texas on Senior Night?) it should take care of business.
Kansas 77, Texas Tech 69.
Andy Mitts
I don't want to be the guy to pick against the Jayhawks here. Bill Self has yet to lose one of his final two home games of the season in his time at Kansas. But let's take that even further:
To put it simply, Bill Self knows how to close out a season. Add in the extra motivation for Kevin McCullar, especially after his reception in their trip to Lubbock earlier this year, and I expect Kansas to be locked in.
But this is still a talented Texas Tech team that is on a bit of a hot streak. I expect Wilson to have good game, and Dajuan Harris will come up huge in this one. Give me the Jayhawks to hold on in a close one in front of an electric crowd.
Kansas 72, Texas Tech 70.
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