Texas vs Texas Tech Prediction: Can the Longhorns Defense Hold Texas Tech?

Texas vs Texas Tech Prediction: Can the Longhorns Defense Hold Texas Tech?

The Texas Longhorns have been incredible on the defensive end, holding their last three opponents to 51 or fewer points during a three-game winning streak. Now the Longhorns will look to continue that solid defense, on the road, against a very good Texas Tech team that is currently averaging about 75 points per game.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have won three of their last four games with the lone loss coming in double overtime to Kansas. A win against Texas would be huge, at home, for the Red Raiders.

Here are our picks and predictions for the Big 12 matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Texas vs Texas Tech Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: Tuesday, February 13
• Game Time: 9:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN2

Click here for Texas vs Texas Tech odds

Texas vs Texas Tech Injury Report

Texas

Questionable: No Injuries to Report

Texas Tech

Questionable: G Terrance Shannon Jr. (Back) Out: Ethan Duncan G (Undisclosed)

Texas Longhorns vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Line Movement

Texas vs Texas Tech Prediction

We've got a matchup between two ranked opponents and two teams that have been absolutely stellar on the defensive end.

Texas Tech is currently ranked 4th in KenPom's defensive efficiency metric while holding opponents to a 45.4 percent effective field goal percentage. Opponents have hit just 31 percent from downtown and 44.5 percent from inside the arc. Teams are also turning the ball over 24.1 percent of the time against Texas Tech and it's always challenging to earn second chances against Texas Tech, as the Red Raiders give up just 26.2 percent of offensive rebounds.

On the other hand, Texas is shooting an effective field goal percentage of 52.2 percent while knocking down 33.5 percent from deep and 53.3 percent from inside the arc. The Longhorns are long and athlete and dominate the offensive glass, but it's going to be a bit harder against Texas Tech.

Defensively, Texas is just as good. The Longhorns are holding opponents to a 45.3 percent effective field goal percentage while forcing 25.1 percent turnovers. Basically, Texas earns a turnover every four possessions, which is really good. The Longhorns have held opponents to 30.6 percent from three and 45 percent from inside but have been getting lucky at the foul line.

Teams are shooting 61.6 percent against Texas at the line, which is the best rate in college basketball. I'm sure that rate will get higher as the season progresses.

However, Texas Tech turns the ball over 19.7 percent of the time and only hits 32.2 percent from downtown. The Longhorns could earn a victory by forcing more turnovers and holding Texas Tech from hitting consistent shots from long range. Therefore, I'll take the points with Texas at +5.5.

Texas Longhorns vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Pick

• Texas +5.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)