Texas Tech vs. Texas Pick
Will No. 8 Texas Tech go on the road and dispose of in-state rival Texas when the two meet up tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Texas Tech is favored on the road, as the Red Raiders are getting odds of -3.5 points against Texas tonight. The over/under total for the game is listed at 131 points. Tonight’s game takes place from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas and will air live on the Longhorn Network.
Following a 10-point loss at Oklahoma last week, Texas Tech bounced back with a 72-71 win over West Virginia this past weekend. The Red Raiders are 15-2 overall, 4-1 in the Big 12 and 8-5 against the spread. Tech has failed to cover in back-to-back games. It is averaging 79.6 points per game this season while allowing 73.5 per contest. Keenan Evans is leading the Red Raiders with 17.5 points per game while Zhaire Smith is adding 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Texas is coming off a 65-64 loss at Oklahoma State this past weekend for its third loss in five games. The Longhorns are now 11-6 overall, 2-3 in the Big 12 and 6-7 against the spread. Texas is putting up 73.5 points per game this season while allowing 65.8 per contest. Dylan Osetkowski is leading Texas with 15.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while Mohamed Bamba is adding 11.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest.
Texas has won three of its last four meetings with Texas Tech, covering the spread in all three wins. Tech has just two road games this season, winning at Kansas while losing by 10 at Oklahoma. Texas has played well at home, giving Kansas a scare while beating TCU. I think the Texas defense will give Tech some issues tonight and I expect the Longhorns to play one of their best games of the season. Tech has given up 14 more points per game on the road this year, which means I think they won’t be able to match Texas’ defensive effort. The public betting is backing Texas slightly as well.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: TEXAS +3.5