The No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders (15-2, 4-1 Big 12) head to Texas to take on the Longhorns (11-6, 2-3 Big 12) in a matchup that pits great offense against superb defense. The game is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 131 points with Texas Tech set as a 3-point favorite.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Texas Longhorns Betting Prediction
The Red Raiders come in on a high note after barely hanging on to beat the No. 2 West Virginia Mountaineers in their last game, 72-71. Texas Tech made good use of their 28 trips to the free throw line, making 24 of them (85.7 percent). West Virginia, on the other hand, was 14-19 (73.7 percent). Texas Tech was lifted by Keenan Evans, who was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
The last time the Longhorns played, they lost a tough one against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 65-64. Oklahoma State’s 9.9 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Texas, who had a rate of 19.9. The Cowboys’ mark was better than their season average of 15.6, while the Longhorns’ was above their season average of 15.1. Texas’ Mohamed Bamba put up 11 points and 10 rebounds in the game.
Points could be at a premium as two of the NCAA’s top defenses battle. Texas ranks 28th in defensive efficiency (94.0) and Texas Tech is third (86.5).
Texas Tech holds records of 15-2 straight up (SU) and 8-5 against the spread (ATS). Of the Red Raiders’ 13 games that accepted bets, nine have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Texas owns records of 11-6 SU and 6-7 ATS. Similarly to Texas Tech, Longhorns games also have a tendency to finish under the O/U total (61.5 percent).
Bamba has averaged 14.8 points, 12.0 rebounds and 5.6 blocks over the last five games for Texas.
After the Longhorns won two out of three contests against the Red Raiders last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Texas won 61-52. Texas did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (16-20; 80.0 percent). Texas Tech, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (28.2 vs. 25.8).
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Texas Longhorns Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Texas Tech, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Texas Tech is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Texas is 2-3 ATS at home with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Texas Tech ranks 13th in rebounds allowed per game (30.5) while Texas ranks 189th (36.5).
The Red Raiders rank 16th in steals per game (8.6) while the Longhorns rank 128th (6.1).
Both of these teams are exceptional at blocking the ball. Texas is ninth in the NCAA with 6.1 blocks per game while Texas Tech is 56th with 4.4 blocks per game.
The Red Raiders are third in the NCAA with 9.2 assists allowed per game while the Longhorns are 36th with 11.2 assists allowed per game.
Texas averages 22.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 115th in the nation. Texas Tech ranks 144th in three pointers allowed per game (22.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Texas Tech is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Texas is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Red Raiders’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.6, down from 18.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Longhorns have scored an average of 76.6 points per game (3.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 78.8 points per game (13.0 above their season average).
