Feb. 23, 2026, 11:31 p.m. ET
The Cincinnati Bearcats (15-12, 7-7 Big 12) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (20-7, 10-4) meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Cincinnati vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Cincinnati put a beatdown on the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks Saturday, winning 84-68 and covering as an 8.5-point road underdog as the Over (138.5) cashed. The Bearcats have ripped off 4 straight wins and have covered in 3 of those contests. They are 12-15 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
Texas Tech throttled the Kansas State Wildcats 100-72 Saturday, covering as a 12.5-point home favorite with the Over (158.5) hitting. The Red Raiders have gone just 4-3 over their last 7 contests yet have covered in each win. They are 15-12 ATS on the season.
Texas Tech won last season 81-71 after losing its first 2 meetings against Cincinnati.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!Cincinnati at Texas Tech odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 11:21 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Cincinnati +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Texas Tech -225 (bet $225 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Cincinnati +5.5 (-110) | Texas Tech -5.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Cincinnati at Texas Tech picks and predictionsPrediction
Texas Tech 77, Cincinnati 70
PASS.
Avoid this play. Texas Tech (-225) should win with ease at home, but it isn’t worth 2 1/4 times your money here. Look below for the better value.
BET TEXAS TECH -5.5 (-110).
The Red Raiders have performed well at home and have gone 3-2 in conference play in Lubbock since Jan. 17. Texas Tech has covered in 3 of its last 4 games as a favorite as well.
The Bearcats might have won their last 2 road games, but the bigger picture is murky. They had lost their previous 5 conference road games and had failed to cover in 3 straight on the road prior to the recent pair of wins.
Expect the luck to run out. Back TEXAS TECH -5.5 (-110).
BET OVER 142.5 (-110).
The Cincinnati offense has been surging, and while one shouldn’t expect it to cover, it can score. The Bearcats have gone 3-1 O/U in their last 4 games and have tallied at least 84 points in 3 of those.
The Red Raiders, who average 82.1 points per game, dropped 100 points in their last outing and have scored at least 78 points in 3 of their last 4. Considering those trends, take OVER 142.5 (-110).
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