Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Houston Cougars Betting Pick & Prediction 1/17/24

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Red Raiders versus the Cougars? Tip off is at at 9:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPNU. The game will be played at Fertitta Center in Houston, TX. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 129.5 points, and the Cougars are favored to win at home against the Red Raiders.

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS VS HOUSTON COUGARS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Texas Tech Red Raiders +12.5

This game will be played at Fertitta Center at 9:00 ET on Wednesday, January 17th.

WHY BET THE TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-67 in favor of the Cougars.
• Even though we have Houston winning straight-up, we like Texas Tech at +12.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 129.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 143 points.

Are Texas Tech Ready for a Road Win?

After winning their last game against Kansas State by a score of 60-59, Texas Tech enters this game with a 14-2 record, including a 3-0 mark in Big 12 play. They have won nine straight games, including four of their last five on the road.

So far this season, the Red Raiders have been perfect at home, going 10-0 with an average scoring margin of +17.8 points per game. On the road, they are 4-2, and their average scoring margin is +4.5 points per game.

As the underdog, Texas Tech has gone 2-2 vs. the spread this season and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as the underdog. On the road, the Red Raiders are 3-3 ATS this year and 6-4 in their last 10 road games vs. the spread.

This season, the over/under record for Texas Tech games is 9-7 and today’s line of 129.5 is lower than the average OU line of 138.1 in their games. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 and the average scoring total in those games is 142 points.

The Texas Tech offense is coming off a game where they scored 60 points against Kansas State. They posted a field goal percentage of 36.4% and connected on 5 threes. Leading the team in scoring is Pop Isaacs, who is averaging 16.4 heading into today’s matchup. Additionally, Joe Toussaint also maintains a PPG average of 14 heading into game.

Currently, the Red Raiders’ defense holds the 38th rank in the nation, allowing 64.8 points per game. In today’s game vs. Houston, the Texas Tech defense will be looking to do a better job avoiding putting opponents on the line. In their last game, Texas Tech made 15 free-throws vs. the Red Raiders.

Do the Cougars Have a Shot at a Home Win?

After losing two straight games, the Houston Cougars will look to get back on track as they host Texas Tech as 12.5-point favorites. Houston comes into this game with a 14-2 record, including a perfect 10-0 mark at home.

Overall, the Cougars have gone 13-2 as the favorite, and they have won 10 straight games at home. In their most recent game, Houston lost to TCU by a score of 68-67.

As the favorite this season, Houston has gone 8-7 against the spread (ATS). At home, the Cougars have an ATS mark of 7-3, and over their last 10 games as the favorite, Houston is 5-5 vs. the spread.

This season, Houston games have an over/under record of 4-11 and today’s line of 129.5 is lower than the average over/under line in their games of 134.2. So far, 9 of their games have finished with fewer points than today’s over/under line. Over their last three games, their games have averaged 129 points compared to their season average of 126.9 points per game.

The Houston offense is coming off a game in which they scored 67 points vs. TCU. Overall their field goal percentage was 42.2% while connecting on 4 threes. Currently leading the team in scoring is LJ Cryer who comes into today’s matchup averaging 15.6. Emanuel Sharp also heads into the game with a PPG average of 13.4.

Currently, the Cougars’ defense holds the 1st rank in the nation, allowing 51.4 points per game. Houston’s three-point defense is currently 36th in the country at 5.4 made threes per game. In terms of overall field goal percentage, opponets have hit 35.3% of their shots vs. Houston.