The Texas Tech Red Raiders take on the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, AZ, on Saturday, Feb. 14. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Arizona is favored by 9.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -550. Texas Tech, meanwhile, enters as a +9.5 underdog and is +400 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 156.5 total points.
Here are my Texas Tech vs. Arizona predictions and college basketball picks for Saturday, February 14.
Texas Tech vs Arizona Prediction
My Pick: Over 155.5 (Play to 157.5)
My Texas Tech vs Arizona best bet is on the over. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Texas Tech vs. Arizona Odds
| Texas Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 156.5 -110o / -110u | +400 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 156.5 -110o / -110u | -550 |
- Texas Tech vs Arizona Spread: Arizona -9.5, Texas Tech +9.5
- Texas Tech vs Arizona Over/Under: 156.5
- Texas Tech vs Arizona Moneyline: Texas Tech +400, Arizona -550
Texas Tech vs Arizona College Basketball Betting Preview
Texas Tech Basketball
The Red Raiders come into this matchup on the heels of their best defensive performance of the season. They dominated Colorado, holding the Buffs to just 44 points and an effective field goal percentage of just 34.5%.
However, if they're going to hang around in this matchup, they'll need to be highly efficient on the offensive end, as slowing down the Wildcats is a rarity. If they're going to do so, outside shooters like Christian Anderson and Donovan Atwell will need to lead the way.
Arizona is dominant in the paint defensively, thanks to 7-foot-2 Motiejus Krivas, who poses a figurative and literal tall task for star forward JT Toppin. If the Red Raiders can earn respect from beyond the arc, it could allow Toppin to find looks in the mid-range where he can outmaneuver the Wildcats' rim protector.
Regardless, Toppin will find a way to get his, and if the shots from the perimeter fall, we'll see Arizona pushed for the second straight game.
Arizona Basketball
While the Red Raiders' offensive output is much more volatile in this matchup, the Wildcats have a clear avenue for success in the paint. Arizona makes a concerted effort to get high percentage looks, as it ranks 362nd in 3-point rate.
Whether it's the backcourt of Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley — or the big men in Krivas and Koa Peat — the Wildcats will produce consistently inside, as Texas Tech has only Toppin to protect the paint.
Combine these consistent high-percentage looks with their tempo — which is the 24th fastest in the country — and we'll see the Wildcats eclipse the 80-point mark for the 19th time this season.
Texas Tech vs Arizona Pick Betting Analysis
Arizona is going to dictate this game with its tempo and high-efficiency scoring. The only question is whether or not the Red Raiders can find their avenue to match the Wildcats.
It's likely that we see Texas Tech hit its fair share of 3s, but the efficiency is a big question mark. If Toppin can establish his presence on the inside, look for the Red Raiders to work from the inside out, as their backcourt can convert looks from the perimeter.
By the end of this one, Arizona will have another great offensive outing, but the pace will allow Texas Tech to put up plenty of points of its own.
My Pick: Over 155.5 (Play to 157.5)
