Offense meets defense when the No. 18 Baylor Bears (10-2) visit Texas Tech to take on the No. 22 Red Raiders (11-1). The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, 2017.
Texas Tech is a 6-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 136.5 points.
Baylor Bears at Texas Tech Red Raiders ATS Prediction
The Bears will be looking for a similar result after dismantling the Southern University Jaguars in their last outing, 80-60. The Bears had a better free throw rate (0.143 vs. 0.056) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.745 (above their season average of 0.577). Baylor was lifted by Tristan Clark, who recorded 11 points and eight rebounds.
In the Red Raiders’ last matchup, they won big over the Abilene Christian Wildcats, 74-47. The Red Raiders had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.347 (above their season average of 0.254) and held the Wildcats to an effective field goal percentage of 0.328 (below their season average of 0.564). With 14 points and five rebounds, Zhaire Smith put together a solid outing for Texas Tech.
This matchup figures to be a high-scoring affair as two of the NCAA’s best offenses battle. Texas Tech ranks 49th with 114.7 points per 100 possessions and Baylor is 15th (120.3).
Baylor holds records of 10-2 straight up (SU) and 3-2 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Bears tend to go under the projected point total (60.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Texas Tech is 11-1 SU and 5-3 ATS. Red Raiders games also have a tendency to finish under the total (62.5 percent).
Smith has averaged 11.2 points, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for Texas Tech.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. The Red Raiders won the most recent matchup 84-78. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Texas Tech’s largest advantages. They had 43 free throw attempts, while Baylor had just 25.
Baylor Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Texas Tech, ATS Winner – Baylor, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Baylor is 2-1 ATS on the road with 2 unders and 1 push.
At home, Texas Tech is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Texas Tech ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (9.4) while Baylor ranks 187th (14.8).
The Red Raiders rank 12th in steals per game (9.5) while the Bears rank 171st (4.9).
Texas Tech ranks 11th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while Baylor ranks 61st (2.9).
The Bears are 14th in the nation with 30.1 rebounds allowed per game while the Red Raiders are 42nd with 31.8 rebounds allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Baylor is 1-0 ATS with 1 over.
Texas Tech is 2-1 ATS with 2 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 26.8, up from 17.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Red Raiders have scored an average of 80.2 points per game (1.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 56.6 points per game (2.1 below their season average).
