Houston vs. Texas Tech Expert Pick and Prediction – February 24, 2025

HOUSTON VS. TEXAS TECH EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTION – February 24, 2025 — Can the Red Raiders make it a clean sweep of Houston? Texas Tech’s already done what nobody else in the Big 12 has accomplished by beating Houston, and they did it in Houston.

However, the Red Raiders haven’t been quite as consistent as the Cougars, which is why they’re sitting three games back of Houston as the league schedule nears its end. Texas Tech has done well enough to sit in a tie for second place with Arizona, but the Red Raiders aren’t anywhere close to catching Houston.

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For the Cougars, it’s a chance to even the score. It’s also a key battle in their quest to avoid falling off the No. 1 line. Houston has its eyes on a national championship, and its odds increase drastically if it can avoid Auburn or Duke until the Final Four.

To do that, the Cougars might have to run the table. They’ll be helped by the SEC giants eating each other, but with Duke almost certain to claim a No. 1 seed because of the weakness of the ACC, Houston has no margin for error. A second loss to Texas Tech would make it very difficult to get the Cougars on the No. 1 line.

The Odds

Tipoff

When: Monday, February 24 at 9 p.m.

Where: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, Texas 

TV: ESPN

Public Bets: Unavailable

Public Money: Unavailable

Houston vs. Texas Tech In-Season Trends

Betting against Houston when it faces a single digit spread is rarely a good idea. The Cougars are 5-1 ATS in their past six when giving 9.5 or less, and the lone exception was an overtime loss to Alabama. Houston is excellent at playing to expectations, in large part because the Cougars’ style does not lend itself to mistakes. If a team is going to beat Houston, the Cougars make them earn it.

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Texas Tech did earn it last time, winning as a 10-point dog. The Red Raiders have now won six in a row in Lubbock, and the last team to beat them on the plains of West Texas was Iowa State by a point.

The Difference-Makers

Chance McMillian led Texas Tech with 23 points last time, and that was despite shooting just 2-for-6 from behind the arc. Houston’s one defensive weakness is on the arc, and the Red Raiders have to be at their best on the perimeter to get the job done.

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LJ Cryer played 44 minutes in the first meeting and scored 22 points, but Houston really needs to get him some help. He’s going to be outstanding again, but the Cougars need someone else to step up with him.

The Pick

Houston should have won the first game, but that was also because Texas Tech lost coach Grant McCasland and JT Toppin four minutes into the game on a flagrant 2 call. That’s not likely to repeat itself here.

The Cougars have been dominant all year, but Texas Tech knows how to play this game and win. And with the game in Lubbock, it’s difficult to see Houston bouncing back if the Red Raiders are at full strength.