No. 6 Houston travels to No. 12 Texas Tech for a second game between the Big 12 powerhouses in three weeks. Houston won by four at home, with Tech getting the cover, on Jan. 6.
Since then, neither team has lost. Houston has won 11 straight and covered eight of the last 10, including the last three. Tech has won four straight and covered the last two.
My Houston vs. Texas Tech predictions anticipate the Cougars covering as a slight road favorite.
Read more in my college basketball picks for Saturday, January 24.
Houston vs Texas Tech prediction
Houston vs Texas Tech best bet: Houston -1 (-105)
The Houston Cougars are ranked No. 2 in the Torvik analytics and have been simply gutting people in 2026.
The Cougars beat Baylor, West Virginia, and Arizona State by a total of 79 points in the last three games.
They held Quad II West Virginia to 48 points and Quad 1 Baylor to 55.
In the first game, Houston held the Texas Tech Red Raiders to a season-low point total.
The Red Raiders made fewer than 10 threes, the only time that's happened since Christmas, and made fewer than 15 shots from two-point range.
Clearly, playing this Houston defense is no holiday. Tech's own defense has been shaky in recent games.
Utah hit 12-of-26 from three, and Baylor shot 21-for-36 from inside the arc. Colorado also nearly pulled an upset of the Red Raiders, losing by two.
Houston doesn't need a lot; just a few cracks will allow the Cougars to score enough points for the defense to stand up.
Look for Houston to target J.T. Toppin and Christian Anderson with its suffocating defense and smother Tech for a fairly low-drama cover on the road.
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Houston vs Texas Tech same-game parlay
Only three teams have topped 70 against Houston in regulation this season, and only one since Thanksgiving.
J.T. Toppin has been on a roll, hitting 6 of his last 8 threes and shooting 35 for 57 from the field in the last three games while averaging 26.7 points. That makes him a target for the Houston defense.
The Cougars allowed him to take 14 shots, matching his lowest since Christmas. Look for him to get choked out today.
Houston vs Texas Tech SGP
- Houston -1
- Under 140.5
- J.T. Toppin Under 18.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: Cougs!
The Cougars are No. 4 in the country at forcing turnovers and No. 13 in effective field goal shooting defense. Christian Anderson has been hot from the field lately.
Look for Houston to take away Toppin and force Anderson to try to beat them himself.
Houston vs Texas Tech SGP
- Houston -1
- Under 140.5
- J.T. Toppin Under 18.5 points
- Christian Anderson u5.5 assists
Houston vs Texas Tech odds
- Spread: Houston -1.5 (-110) | Texas Tech +1.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Houston -115 | Texas Tech +100
- Over/Under: Over 140.5 (-110) | Under 140.5 (-110)
Houston vs Texas Tech betting trend to know
Houston has covered the spread in 9 of its last 12 away games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Houston vs. Texas Tech.
How to watch Houston vs Texas Tech
| Location | United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, TX |
| Date | Saturday, January 24, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Houston vs Texas Tech key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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