In what should be an exciting game between two cross-state rivals, No. 17 Texas Tech hosts No. 16 Texas at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday, February 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Will the Red Raiders move to .500 in Big 12 play? Find out in our Texas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions.
Texas Longhorns at Texas Tech Red Raiders betting preview
Injuries
Texas: No injuries to report.
Texas Tech: G Jamarius Burton (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Longhorns are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine games overall. Find more NCAA betting trends for Texas vs. Texas Tech.
NCAAB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonBetMGM opened Texas Tech a 3.5-point home favorite and moved to -4. "Ticket count is very close, five more tickets on Texas Tech. But we took a decent-sized bet on Texas Tech, so we need Texas," BetMGM Nevada's Jeff Stoneback said of a $20,000 play that has the money well off-kilter in favor of the Red Raiders. The total is down a half-point to 135.5, but Stoneback said that's a no-decision at this point, 30 minutes before tipoff.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the spread (ATS) pick
Texas Tech has had an up-and-down year thus far, but the Red Raiders are still a good basketball team. On the year, they’re actually 23rd in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency (according to KenPom.com), and that’s going to be crucial in this matchup, as they’re facing a Texas team that is 20th in adjusted offensive efficiency.
If the Red Raiders can find a way to at least make life difficult on Texas’ backcourt of Andrew Jones, Matt Coleman III and Courtney Ramey, Chris Beard’s group is going to be in a good position to comfortably win this game. Texas has some nice frontcourt players, like Greg Brown and Kai Jones, but both of them have been inconsistent this season. It wouldn’t be surprising if the two of them struggled with the way the Red Raiders play defense. Beard’s group can be swarming.
Offensively, Mac McClung, who averages 16.9 points per game, will be able to create some good shots for himself here. He had 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting when these teams met in Austin in January, and that was a game that Texas Tech won, 79-77.
PREDICTION: Texas Tech -3.0 (-110)
Over/Under pick
The last time these teams met, the two combined to score 156 points. That’s quite the shootout, but that doesn’t mean it’s likely to happen again. The Longhorns shot 52.0 percent from the outside in that game, and it’s just very difficult to assume that this team will shoot lights out against a good defense twice in a row.
Meanwhile, the Red Raiders are going to want to slow this game down a bit. While they did win the last time these teams played, that’s not a style that benefits them against an offense-first team like Texas. Look for the Red Raiders to value the ball in this game, as they know their defense can come through for them.
PREDICTION: Under 136.5 (-110)
Texas vs Texas Tech betting card
- Texas Tech -3.0 (-110)
- Under 136.5 (-110)
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