Texas Tech vs. BYU College Basketball prediction, preview
BYU has come completely undone, and this has been going on since late January. The Cougars are just 4-9 over their last 13 games, a streak that started with a road loss to this Texas Tech team. Dealing with the season injury to Richie Saunders has only made things worse for BYU, but the Red Raiders are going through a similar situation, learning to win without JT Toppin.
The Red Raiders actually won and covered their first three games after Toppin went down for the season, including a very impressive win as a sizable road underdog at Iowa State. But reality set in this week with a loss to TCU, and now Tech catches BYU in about as desperate a spot as you’ll find. Yes, the Cougars are still an NCAA Tournament team, but this team cannot keep losing like this if it wants to have any kind of success in March.
Through all the losses, BYU remains 11-3 at home, and the Saturday night ESPN atmosphere should really fuel the home team here. This is a similar spot to a couple of weeks ago when BYU took down Iowa State as a short home underdog, except the Red Raiders are even more vulnerable without Toppin.
The Cougars have the size to take advantage of Toppin’s absence, and an elite offense to give Texas Tech issues. I’m also expecting I mentioned the similarities to the Iowa State game, and that includes a big effort from AJ Dybantsa here. The potential No. 1 overall pick played the entire 40 minutes in that one, finishing with 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
I like Dybantsa to carry his team to victory in a near must-win game at home for the Cougs.