Texas Tech vs. TCU Odds, Picks, and Predictions (2/26/22)

Texas Tech vs. TCU Odds, Picks, and Predictions (2/26/22)

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are on their way to Fort Worth, Texas, to face off against the Texas Christain Horned Frogs this Saturday, February 26th, for a rematch. The Red Raiders have been one of the most feared competitors in the Big 12 and the nation. They’re currently on a four-game win streak that includes taking down the then #7 ranked and reigning NCAA Men’s Division I Champions, the Baylor Bears, and the then ranked #20, the Texas Longhorns. The Horned Frogs have not had the same luck and are coming off of a 75-66 loss to the Longhorns as they attempt to get their first win against Texas Tech on the season. It won’t be an easy battle to fight, but TCU has taken down other fierce competitors like the then ranked #15 Iowa State Cyclones and the previously ranked #19, the LSU Tigers. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM CST and can be watched on ESPN2.

Texas Tech vs. TCU Betting Odds

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have been plowing through the competition this 2021-2022 season. They currently stand with a record of 22-6 with a conference record of 11-4. Their performances have landed them in third place in the Big 12 and a national rank of #9. TCU has gone 17-9 in overall play and 6-8 in conference play. They are currently fifth in the Big 12, following all of the nationally ranked teams that are in the Big 12 conference. The gap between the top four teams in the Big 12 and the rest is considerable. The difference in the level of play will be on full display in this matchup. The Raiders are given a 72% victory confidence by ESPN’s matchup predictor, which is one of the most extensive intervals we have seen in the Big 12 competition. The spread has been placed at -5 for Texas Tech and +5 for TCU. When the teams previously met, the Raiders walked away victorious in an 82-69 win. The Raiders have been on an even better hot streak with an elevated play that leaves many to believe this matchup can be a repeat of the last meeting. Tech has proven over and over again that they are a force to be reckoned with and can make a fool out of this TCU team. If this game is not a repeat, it would be an even more catastrophic loss for TCU.

My Prediction: Texas Tech Wins 72-56, Texas Tech Covers

Texas Tech Red Raiders Odds

There are currently four Big 12 teams that are nationally ranked in the top 25, with three of those teams in the top 10. Texas Tech has been given the number nine spot because of their aggressive and consistent play that they have shown over the course of the entire season. This team has the potential to make it to another Final Four with ease. Their four-game win streak could have and should have been an eight-game win streak if they had not fallen to the Oklahoma Sooners a few weeks ago. In their streak, they have already taken down TCU and have the likelihood of doing it again this time around. 

In the game against TCU, the Raiders shot 53.8% from the field and 55.6% from beyond the three-point line. Their season average stands at 52.3% from the field, so they had a slight improvement against the Horned Frogs. To be fair, they were playing in their home stadium, which is notorious for being one of the hardest centers to play in this season. When on the road, the Raiders haven’t shown much slack either. There is a reason that they have broken into the top 10, and this game will be an example of their skill.

Junior guard Terrence Shannon Jr has shown himself to be one of the most competitive players on this basketball team. In the last game against TCU, he led the Raiders in points by scoring 20 points throughout the game, without a starting position. He shot a miraculous 77.8% from the field and 66.7% from beyond the three-point line that helped his team reach victory. On average, Shannon Jr averages 11.2 points per game, but his average dips to 10 points per game when on the road. He proved himself to be a weakness of the TCU defense, and I don’t think he’ll slow down when on the road in this matchup. This player is a star in the making and has a high level of skill that has pushed the Raiders to be one of the most elite teams in Men’s Division I Basketball.

TCU Horned Frogs Odds

The TCU Horned Frogs sit in the top half of the Big 12 but have struggled to make an impression against the top four teams. Their defensive end can not compare to those of the Kansas Jayhawks, the Baylor Bears, Texas Longhorns, and even the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Raiders have an average point margin of 13 points in their games, whereas the Horned Frogs only have a four-point margin. They have consistently failed to walk away with demolishing wins but have had solid success against the latter half of the Big 12. This matchup is huge for the Horned Frogs since they play the #5 ranked Kansas Jayhawks back-to-back next week, which may even be a harder challenge. If they can pull off a win or at least a close game against the Raiders, they may have the confidence they need to take on the Jayhawks and prove to the nation that they can run with the big dogs in the most competitive conference.

The team’s leading scorer, Mike Miles, gave his team a fighting chance against the Raiders earlier this month. He scored 16 points in that game, which is two points higher than his average. Although he’s the team’s top scorer, his accuracy doesn’t compare to the top scorers on the higher-ranked teams. He only shoots 37% from the field and 28.3% from beyond the three-point line. As a guard, these statistics are abysmal. If your leading scorer fails to shoot above 40%, it’s very hard to stand concretely as a very competitive team. Miles is only a sophomore, so he has plenty of time to grow and improve to help his team be at the top in his later seasons with the Horned Frogs. Once he masters his consistency, this team may lead to another Big 12 competitor to reach a national rank.

Texas Tech vs. TCU Picks and Predictions

This matchup is projected to easily fall into the hands of the Texas Tech Red Raiders once again. This team has proven to be an unstoppable force, and TCU does not have the adequate weapons to successfully take them down. I know everyone loves a good underdog story, but I don’t think this is a matchup that can lead to that excitement. The spread is only placed with a five-point margin, which is pretty minimal for what the Raiders can do. I predict the Raiders will take this game from the beginning and put another win under their belt right before the playoffs take place.