Texas Tech vs Iowa State Odds & Pick for Saturday

Below, we have Texas Tech vs Iowa State odds and a pick for Saturday.

Big 12 action rolls on as Texas Tech and Iowa State get set to meet in Ames in a battle between two of the hottest teams in the conference. Both teams have now won back-to-back games and are feeling the momentum coming into this one.

Texas Tech beat UCF and Kansas in the last week. The win over the Jayhawks came in blowout fashion, as the Red Raiders ran Bill Self's team out of the building, albeit without Kevin McCullar Jr. The Red Raiders have been one of the better surprises in the Big 12 this season, but they've lost three of their last four road games in league play.

Iowa State has simply been rolling. The Cyclones have now won six of their last seven games, including impressive road victories over Texas and Cincinnati. Iowa State is an impressive 14-0 at home, and T.J Otzelberger's team will do whatever it can to remain undefeated at Hilton.

Iowa State enters this game tied with Houston for first place in the league, while Texas Tech is a game back in the loss column and needs a win to hang tough.

When you think of the Texas Tech program, you typically think of elite defense. Not this year.

Grant McCasland's new-look Red Raiders team is stellar offensively and just average on the other end.

Texas Tech ranks 11th nationally in offensive efficiency, but just 67th on defense. Its offense features quality shooters all over the floor, as the team shoots 38% from 3 and ranks in the top 25 in both 3-point shooting and free-throw percentage.

Darrion Williams is coming off a dominant showing in the win over Kansas. Williams finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, but most impressively, he didn't miss a shot from the floor on 12 attempts. He also made both of his free throws for good measure.

It'll be fascinating to see if his star form will carry into this game against the elite Iowa State defense.

That'll be easier said than done, as Iowa State has the third-best defense in the country, according to KenPom. The Clones force more turnovers than any team in college basketball, and they pressure opposing guards for 40 minutes.

Opposing offenses don't get anything easy at the rim against Iowa State. Teams are shooting just 45% from inside the arc against the Cyclones this season.

At the head of their offense is Tamin Lipsey. Lipsey has emerged as one of the best facilitators in college basketball. Flanked by Keshon Gilbert and freshman star Milan Momcilovic, the Iowa State offense has jumped up to 41st nationally, but is ranked 24th in the last month.

With the way the Iowa State defense is playing, it's hard to see anyone coming into Ames and having much success scoring the basketball.

Add in the improved offense, and Iowa State is a force to be reckoned with.

Take the Cyclones to cover and continue their home dominance.

Pick: Iowa State -7.5