Big 12 Tournament: Texas Tech vs. Houston odds, picks and predictions
The No. 23 Texas Tech Red Raiders (23-9) battle the No. 1 Houston Cougars (29-3) in a Big 12 Championship semifinal Friday from T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Texas Tech vs. Houstonodds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
Houston, the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, ended the season with a 15-3 conference record and by winning their last 9 games. Houston beat the TCU Horned Frogs 60-45 Thursday and covered as an 11.5-point favorite, just its 2 cover in the last 5 games. Houston is 15-15-2 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
The Red Raiders beat the No. 21 BYU Cougars 81-67 Thursday, covering as a 3.5-point underdog. They have won 4 in a row, including a 78-68 home win over the No. 13 Baylor Bears to close the regular season. With its Thursday cover, Texas Tech is 15-16-1 ATS.
Texas Tech lost 77-54 to Houston on Jan. 17, failing to cover as a 13-point road underdog in their lone regular-season meeting.
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Texas Tech vs. Houston odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:01 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Texas Tech +275 (bet $100 to win $275) | Houston -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Texas Tech +7.5 (-102) | Houston -7.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Texas Tech vs. Houston picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 70, Texas Tech 59
Moneyline
PASS.
The Cougars are the best team in the nation and should continue to prove that Friday. Avoid playing them to win outright at -350.
Against the spread
BET HOUSTON -7.5 (-120).
The Cougars are 3-2 in their last 5 games as a single-digit favorite. They have the best defense in the NCAA (56.9 points allowed per game) which should help them cover. Houston has allowed 46 or fewer points in 2 straight games and 60 or fewer in 4 of its last 5.
Texas Tech has lost 3 of its last 8 games and is 1-2 ATS in its last 3 games as an underdog. Its top 2 scoring options already struggle in terms of efficiency, shooting 41% from the field or worse.
Expect those struggles to continue and back HOUSTON -7.5 (-120).
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 131.5 (-110).
The Red Raiders have a strong defense as well, allowing 70 or fewer points in 4 straight games. They went 18-13 O/U on the season, but have gone Under in 5 of their last 6 games.
Houston allowed 45 points while scoring 60 in its 1st Big 12 Tournament action. It has gone Under in 4 of its last 5 games, allowing 46 or fewer points in 2 straight. Houston ranks 345th in possessions per game.
Expect a slow-paced game and take UNDER 131.5 (-110).
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