Texas Tech Primed for Longhorn Raid
Red Raiders favored in Chris Beard's return to Lubbock
It doesn’t get much better than Texas Tech Red hosting Texas, and this game offers a ‘sinister’ subplot. Chris Beard, after his success at Tech, went to Austin to become coach at this alma mater. Beard returns Tuesday.
The local ‘brawl’ is always a competitive affair, but the sportsbook is tilting toward the home team .
It’s a classic matchup of offense and defense, so we’re looking forward to see who has bragging rights.
- Game: Texas Longhorns (16-5) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-5)
- Location: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, TX
- Day/Time/TV: Tuesday, Feb. 1st, 9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Texas Longhorns at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Longhorns Fighting Back
After a fine start, the Texas Longhorns had a rough stretch, including three losses in four games.
It started with a 64-51 loss to Oklahoma State, then a bounce-back win against Oklahoma before consecutive losses to Iowa State and Kansas State..
We’ve been impressed with their resilience in beating TCU (73-50) and Tennessee (52-51). There hasn’t been relief for spread bettors, however. Texas failed to cover in five of its last seven games.
NCAA basketball odds have the Longhorns at +4½ against Texas Tech. It’s an intriguing line for a rivalry which is typically close. The last five games have been decided by five, ten, two, nine and one point.
The question is whether Texas can stay close with a dominant home team. The Red Raiders are unbeaten in 13 home games, and we’re not sure if Texas can survive the anticipated early onslaught.
The Longhorns have been favored in their last 10 games, so playing as the underdog is an unfamiliar situation.
Red Raiders are Printing Money
Investing in the Texas Tech Red Raiders has been quite profitable. They are 14-7 against the spread, covering in eight of their last nine.
Four of those wins were double-digit spread victories, so it has been enjoyable viewing for Red Raiders’ bettors. They have only a -4½ line to cover against Texas, and we liked what we saw against Mississippi State.
The 76-50 victory showcased Tech’s tough defense, and not to mention it shot an incredibly-high 61.7% from the field. If the Red Raiders connect anywhere near that against Texas, it could be a bloodbath.
Adonis Arms led with 16 points, so it was a team effort on the offensive end.
“It’s always exciting when you can share the ball and spread the points around,” Texas Tech coach Mark Adams told ESPN. “It makes it difficult for opponents to scout you and focus on one or two guys. You look down our lineup, and we have a lot of guys that can score double figures.”
The last time Texas Tech and Texas played at United Supermarkets Arena, it was a 68-59 home win. It’s our thinking Texas Tech is a better team than last season, so bettors shouldn’t be deterred by the line.
Betting online markets are likely to take the bulk of the action for the Red Raiders, who had been favored by at least seven points in their last four home games.
Red Raiders to Extend Home Record
The Red Raiders are the aforementioned 13-0 at home, and we don’t think that record will come under threat.
Despite losing twice in their last five games (Kansas State and Kansas), facing Texas should provide them with some respite.
They pushed the Jayhawks to double overtime, an outstanding effort, so we like their chances of ruining Beard’s return to Lubbock here,.
Bettors have had a license to print money with the Red Raiders, and they are one of our NCAA basketball best bets for Tuesday.
