Jan. 24, 2026, 10:39 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The No. 6 Houston Cougars (17-1, 5-0 Big 12) visit the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders (15-4, 5-1) Saturday. Tip-off from United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas, is set for 2 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n Houston has won 11 games in a row after dominating Arizona State 103-73 last Sunday, covering as an 18.5-point home favorite with the Over (142.5) easily cashing. G Kingston Flemings led all scorers with 20 points, while all 5 Cougars starters scored in double figures, including 4 who scored at least 16 in the blowout.<\/p>\n Texas Tech has won 4 games in a row after handling Baylor 92-73 Tuesday, covering as a 1.5-point road favorite with the Over (154.5) hitting. G Christian Anderson scored a game-high 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting from 3, while F JT Toppin added 22, and G Donovan Atwell added 21 on 7-of-10 from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n Houston beat Texas Tech 69-65 in their first meeting this season (Jan. 6). Texas Tech covered as a 7.5-point road underdog and the Under (142.5) hit.<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0Rankings:\u00a0USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll<\/a><\/p>\n Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!<\/a>Houston at Texas Tech odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:39 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n Moneyline (ML): Houston -118 (bet $118 to win $100) | Texas Tech -102 (bet $102 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Houston -1.5 (-102) | Texas Tech +1.5 (-118)Over\/Under (O\/U): 140.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Houston at Texas Tech picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Houston 79, Texas Tech 78<\/p>\n BET HOUSTON (-118).<\/p>\n When it comes down to it, the Cougars are just too hot to bet against right now. With 11 wins in a row, including 3 on the road, they have looked like one of the nation\u2019s best programs. Make no mistake, this game has all the makings of a dogfight, but the Cougars are playing like a well-oiled engine and have shown few shortcomings. Even as the road team in a tough environment, the confidence lies with the Cougars in this matchup.<\/p>\n PASS.<\/p>\n Even with a short spread, this matchup could come down to the last bucket, making the moneyline the better bet in this matchup.<\/p>\n BET OVER 140.5 (-110).<\/p>\n Both the Cougars and Red Raiders have high-caliber offenses that can speed up the pace of the game. While they both also have quality defenses, this total is favorable for the Over.<\/p>\n The Cougars have scored at least 77 points in each of their last 3 games and in 7 of their last 10, while allowing 65 or more in 2 of their last 4.<\/p>\n The Red Raiders have scored at least 84 points in each of their last 3 and at least 82 in 8 of their last 10. They have allowed at least 71 points in each of their last 4 and in 8 of their last 10.<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:<\/p>\n Alabama<\/a> \/ Auburn<\/a> \/ Clemson<\/a>\u00a0\/ Colorado<\/a> \/ Duke<\/a> \/\u00a0Florida<\/a> \/ Florida State<\/a> \/\u00a0Georgia<\/a> \/ Iowa<\/a> \/ Kentucky<\/a> \/\u00a0LSU<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan State<\/a> \/ Nebraska<\/a> \/ North Carolina<\/a> \/ Notre Dame<\/a>\u00a0\/ Ohio State<\/a>\u00a0\/ Oklahoma<\/a> \/ Oregon<\/a> \/ Penn State<\/a> \/ Tennessee<\/a>\u00a0\/ Texas<\/a> \/ Texas A&M<\/a> \/ UCLA<\/a> \/ USC<\/a> \/ Washington<\/a> \/\u00a0Wisconsin<\/a> \/ College Sports Wire<\/a> \/ High School<\/a> \/ Recruiting<\/a><\/p>\n Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.<\/p>\n Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.\u202f While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.\u202f We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.\u202f Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.<\/p>\n Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24\/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.<\/p>\n