Texas Tech Vs. Texas Odds, Picks, Predictions NCAAB (1/14/23)

Is any program going through more ups and downs than the Texas Longhorns? What looked like a detrimental premature end to their season amidst their coach’s news, has now been subsided by their ability to keep an elite level of play. While their defensive intensity dipped a little, their offense has remained as one of the best in the nation. They now get a reeling Texas Tech squad who is on a four-game losing streak. Can the Red Raiders snap their streak?

Texas Tech Vs. Texas Odds

Oddsmakers don’t think so as they opened the Red Raiders as a +9.5 underdog. Bettors are a little more adamant of their chances, taking them down to +9 as of writing. This mainly comes down to their ability to limit the Longhorns offensive production as the Red Raiders possess an elite defense.

Speaking of defense, oddsmakers believe points are going to be scored at a quick pace as they opened the total at 142.5. Bettors think elsewise, backing the under down to 143.5 as of writing. This is an instant pass for me as the Longhorns defense has dipped since their coach news, relying on their offensive production to get the job done.

Texas Tech Vs. Texas Prediction & Pick

The Pick: Pass pregame, potential live play pending Texas defensive success

In a pregame aspect, this is a pass for me. Ever since they lost their head coach, Texas’ production has been a roller coaster on the defensive end. While their offense has remained fairly consistent, their defense became swiss cheese and almost turned into auto over territory. That was until recently, shutting down Oklahoma State and holding TCU until a late surge. Until they can show consistency, I will pass on them as I prefer stability for my wagers.

Lucky for the Longhorns, the Red Raiders don’t pose much of an offensive threat as they currently rank 95th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. A major reason for their lack of efficiency comes from poor perimeter play. They currently average 34.6% from three, relying on a brunt of their scoring to come from their interior.

They will be hard pressed to find perimeter production in this one as the Longhorns rank above average in perimeter field goal percentage. Until the Red Raiders can stretch out the defense, then this allows the Longhorns to compact the paint and give TTU’s interior production fits as well. A much needed scheme as Texas Tech will heavily rely on Kevin Obanor and De’Vion Harmon to attack the paint.

It’s not as if the Red Raiders scoring has been the issue, it’s their lack of versatility to generate scoring is what has been hindering them. They excel at attacking the interior behind the facilitation of Harmon and Pop Isaacs, both excelling at dishing off of drives. Forcing opposing defenses to scramble, allowing Obanor to hit shots from open gaps.

Their ability to attack the perimeter confirms my pregame decision of making this a pass. While the Longhorns can sag back and force the Red Raiders to beat them from deep, their defense has been reeling as of late and I would like to see how they perform early on against Texas Tech’s interior offense.

(Tallysight pick tile here)

Texas Tech Vs. Texas Key Matchups

Can the Longhorns offense remain efficient against an elite Red Raiders defense?

Texas versatile scoring vs Texas Tech defense

While the Red Raiders offense has not been up to elite standards in order to make them a serious threat, their defense has held their own as one of the more feared units in basketball. This is a program known for their defensive capabilities and that is not different this season as they currently rank 36th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.

This makes for an intriguing battle as the Longhorns offensive production has drummed along without skipping a beat since their early season news. They have remained as a top-20 unit in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency with elite guard play.

In order to crack the Texas Tech defense, they will need their guards to get in the middle and force the defense to collapse on them. Either cuts to the basket or kick outs to the open gaps will force the defense to continuously scramble and allow others to get high quality scoring opportunities.

Verdict

This is currently a pass for me pregame as I want to see the Texas defensive intensity as they have been a wildcard in their past few games as their production continues to slip.