The No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders (23-8, 11-7 Big 12) go head-to-head with the Texas Longhorns (19-13, 9-10 Big 12) in the Big 12 Conference Tourney at Sprint Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Texas Longhorns vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Prediction
In the Longhorns’ last contest, they beat the Iowa State Cyclones, 68-64. The Longhorns had a better free throw rate (0.161 vs. 0.074), while the Cyclones had a turnover percentage of 22.7 (above their season average of 14.6). With 20 points on 7-for-18 shooting, Dylan Osetkowski was the top scorer from either team.
The Red Raiders beat the TCU Horned Frogs in their last contest, 79-75. One of Texas Tech’s largest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They had 29 free throw attempts, six more than TCU. Keenan Evans was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this showdown between a pair of the nation’s best defenses. Texas Tech currently ranks sixth in defensive efficiency (93.8) and Texas is 57th (99.2).
Zhaire Smith has averaged 15.6 points over the last five games for Texas Tech.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Red Raiders won the most recent matchup 73-71. Texas Tech had a much better free throw rate (0.462 vs. 0.200). Texas, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.2 vs. 21.2). Evans was the game’s leading scorer with 38 points.
Texas Longhorns vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Texas, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Texas Tech ranks 33rd in rebounds allowed per game (31.9) while Texas ranks 202nd (36.0).
The Red Raiders rank 99th in assists per game (14.5) while the Longhorns rank 251st (11.7).
Texas ranks 23rd in blocks per game (5.0) while Texas Tech ranks 131st in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
The Longhorns rank 132nd in three pointers attempted per game (22.6) while the Red Raiders rank 237th (19.5).
Texas Tech ranks 34th in steals per game (7.5) while Texas ranks 132nd (6.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Longhorns have been outscored by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Texas has defeated opponents by an average of 3.8 points.
During their last five games, the Red Raiders have scored an average of 70.6 points per game (5.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.2 points per game (9.7 above their season average).
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