The Texas Tech Red Raiders (18-13, 9-9 Big 12) clash against the Texas Longhorns (19-12, 9-9 Big 12) in the Big 12 Conference Tourney at Sprint Center. The game will air on ESPN2 at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 125.5 points with Texas Tech opening as a 5.5-point favorite at Illinois Sportsbooks.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Texas Longhorns Free Prediction
The last time the Red Raiders played, they were defeated by the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks, 66-62, and failed to cover as 3-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (128) were under the projected point total of 134. Kansas out-rebounded Texas Tech. The Jayhawks had 14 offensive rebounds and 46 total rebounds, while the Red Raiders had nine and 36, respectively. Davide Moretti was the top scorer from either team with 18 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
The Longhorns were blown out by the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their last matchup, 81-59, despite being 4-point favorites. The game’s total points (140) finished over the projected point total of 128.5. Oklahoma State made eight of their 13 three pointers (61.5 percent). Texas, on the other hand, was just 5-29 (17.2 percent). With 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, Kai Jones was the game’s leading scorer.
Texas Tech heads into the contest with records of 18-13 straight up (SU) and 13-17 against the spread (ATS). Oddsmakers tend to set the total low when the Red Raiders are playing, as 56.7 percent of their games have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Texas is 19-12 SU and 14-17 ATS. Unlike Texas Tech, Longhorns games have finished under the total 54.8 percent of the time.
Texas might have trouble scoring as they go head-to-head against one of the country’s best defenses. Texas Tech currently ranks 16th in defensive efficiency while the Longhorns rank 294th in offensive efficiency.
Texas Tech vs. Texas ATS Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Texas Tech ranks 25th in assists per game (15.4) while Texas ranks 227th (11.6).
The Red Raiders rank 46th in steals per game (7.7) while the Longhorns rank 198th (5.5).
Texas ranks 47th in blocks per game (4.3) while Texas Tech ranks 112th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
The Longhorns are fifth in the NCAA with 15.2 three pointers allowed per game while the Red Raiders are 60th with 19.4 three pointers allowed per game.
Texas Tech ranks 239th in rebounds per game (33.5) while Texas ranks 279th (31.7).
In its last five games, Texas Tech is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Texas is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Red Raiders have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Texas Tech has defeated opponents by an average of 8.4 points.
During their last five games, the Longhorns have scored an average of 63.2 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 61.2 points per game (2.1 below their season average).