It's early in the college basketball betting season, but so far this has been Shaka Smart’s best work since becoming the Texans Longhorns head coach. Although Chris Beard has been as good as anybody in college basketball as the leader of the Red Raiders. Keep reading for our Texas Tech vs. Texas picks and predictions, as you’ll want to be on the right side of this one.
These big-time coaches will face off in a massive Big-12 clash on Wednesday night, with college basketball odds seeing Texas as a 2.5-point favorite with the total at 132.5, down from the opening line of 134.
Check out of best free NCAA picks and predictions for when No. 4 Texas hosts No. 15 Texas Tech at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, with tip-off at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Texas Longhorns Betting Preview
Key Injuries
Texas Tech: No injuries to report.
Texas: Jase Febres G (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Longhorns are 0-6 ATS in their last six home games against teams with winning road records. Find more NCAA betting trends for Texas Tech vs. Texas.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
The Longhorns' struggles to cover at home against good teams doesn't just apply to this year—Texas is just 3-11 ATS at home against teams above .500 over the last two seasons overall. And while this Texas team is different than the ones Smart has coached in the past, Texas Tech is a similarly well-coached group and there’s a lot to like about the Red Raiders in this one.
This year, Texas Tech is fifth in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, so they should be up to the task of at least slowing down a 12th-ranked Texas offense, even if they are undersized. Texas is led by Matt Coleman III, who averages 13.6 points and 4.4 assists per game and sets the table for Texas, but this is a feisty Red Raiders group that is going to really get into the Longhorns backcourt. If Texas Tech can make life difficult on Coleman, the team should be just fine here.
Against Oklahoma State, the Red Raiders held potential No. 1 draft pick Cade Cunningham to just 13 points on 25-percent shooting from the floor. However, the rest of the Cowboys’ starting five was uncharacteristically hot in that one, which is why Tech ended up losing. If they can similarly keep Coleman in check, they should see a different result here.
Offensively, the Red Raiders will enjoy a game like this one. Texas frequently turns to three-guard lineups, which means Texas Tech’s four-guard groups won’t seem that out of whack here. Mac McClung, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Kevin McCullar will each have a good chance of getting it going, but it’s the first two that are really dangerous. McClung has fit right in with Texas Tech since transferring from Georgetown, and Shannon is an intriguing NBA prospect. Those that back the Red Raiders will enjoy having them on their side.
PREDICTION: Texas Tech +3 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Despite being known for their defensive prowess, each of the last four Texas Tech games have gone Over the total. Meanwhile, three of the last four Texas games have done the same.
Both coaches would ideally want their defenses to show up and put the clamps on in a game like this, but it’s just hard to imagine that happening. There will simply be too many guards on the floor at all times to imagine this really turning into a slow, grind-it-out affair.
And this number is extremely low, which means it could hit even on an off-shooting night.
PREDICTION: Over 132.5 (-110)
Texas Tech vs Texas Betting Card
- Texas Tech +3 (-110)
- Over 132.5 (-110)
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