The Houston Cougars take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock, Texas. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Houston is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -150. The total is set at 139.5 points.
Here’s my Houston vs. Texas Tech prediction and college basketball picks for January 24, 2026.
Houston vs Texas Tech Prediction
My Pick: Texas Tech +2.5 (Play to +1.5)
My Houston vs Texas Tech best bet is on the Red Raiders to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Houston vs. Texas Tech Odds
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 139.5 -110 / -110 | -150 |
| Texas Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 139.5 -110 / -110 | +125 |
- Houston vs Texas Tech spread: Houston -2.5
- Houston vs Texas Tech over/under: 139.5 points
- Houston vs Texas Tech moneyline: Houston -150, Texas Tech +125
Houston vs Texas Tech College Basketball Betting Preview
Houston Basketball
Houston has been on an absolute tear of late, winning three straight games by 22+ points. The Cougars are now 17-1 overall and 5-0 in Big 12 action, but this game in Lubbock will be the toughest matchup on their schedule so far.
A few things are evergreen with Houston. If you can't compete with the physical play of the Coogs, it's a wrap. Second, Houston always improves in January and beyond.
Offensively, the Cougars haven't shot the ball well all season. They're shooting 32% from downtown, but their relentless effort on the glass (grabbing 39% of their misses) shields some of the shooting woes.
To beat Texas Tech in Lubbock, Houston will have to shoot it well. Houston has a trio of dynamic guards in Emanuel Sharp, Kingston Flemings and Milos Uzan who can take over.
Tech fans are all too familiar with the brilliance of Flemings. He carried Houston to a comeback win over the Red Raiders in Houston, and he's probably the most talented guard that Sampson has coached.
You know Flemings will show up, but Sharp and Uzan are tougher to figure out. Sharp is a sniper, shooting 38% from deep. He's not much of a threat beyond that, though. Uzan, meanwhile, is playing off the ball more since Flemings needs the rock, and he's shooting 37% from the field.
Defense is still Kelvin Sampson's calling card, as the Cougars are No. 4 in KenPom's defensive efficiency. They force turnovers on 23% of possessions, a top-four mark nationally.
Plus, opponents shoot 45% on 2s against them. It's increasingly tough for bigs to score against Houston due to Sampson's patented post-traps. The trap aims to force players who aren't used to passing into doing just that, which often results in a turnover.
Texas Tech Basketball
Texas Tech is a true contender in the Big 12, sitting at 15-4 overall and 5-1 in league play. But it'll have to avoid getting swept by Houston to have a real chance to compete for a league crown.
The Red Raiders found something in the second half of their win over Duke and have ridden that momentum to a 7-1 stretch. Their defense from opening night to December 19 (the day before the Duke game) had them sitting at 81st in defensive efficiency. Since then, Texas Tech is 15th in defensive efficiency.
For Grant McCasland, that's more fitting for a guy known for coaching elite defensive squads at North Texas.
The Red Raiders are no slouches offensively, either. They rank 13th in KenPom's offensive efficiency and 13th in 3-point field goal percentage.
You won't find a better duo in the sport than point guard Christian Anderson and big man JT Toppin. Anderson is the nation's best point guard. He averages 20 points and 7.4 assists per game whilt shooting 45% from deep.
Toppin is one of the few bigs who can actually play well against Houston. One of his best skills is his game processing. He's a great passer and loves his lefty floater, and he can make something happen before Houston doubles.
The rest of Texas Tech's lineup is also coming together. Jaylen Petty is a stone-cold sniper, as is Donovan Atwell. LeJuan Watts has put forth some big games, too.
Houston vs. Texas Tech Betting Analysis
The line favors Houston by 2.5 points on the road, and I have to go with the home squad here.
Texas Tech is a top-10 team in the country right now based on its recent showings, so I think the line should be a pick'em.
The Cougars can't out-tough their way to a win. They'll have to make shots and contain the pick-and-roll dominance from Anderson.
Neither of those is easy to do.
Also, as of writing, sharp money is coming in on Texas Tech, according to Action PRO.
My Pick: Texas Tech +2.5 (Play to +1.5)
