The No. 8 Baylor Bears (21-4, 9-3 Big 12) will travel to United Supermarkets Arena to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders (19-6, 8-4) Wednesday. Below, we look at the Baylor vs. Texas Tech odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
After holding the No. 1 spot in the nation, Baylor has hit a rough patch in its schedule. Losing to Alabama, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Texas Tech in its last 10 games, the Bears have dropped to 8th in the country.
They’re 5-5 against the spread over their last 10, covering in 5 of 6 wins and failing to cover in each of their 4 losses. The Bears rank top 40 in points per game and opponents’ points per game.
They’re just 6-6 against the spread (ATS) in conference play. The Red Raiders are a league-best 10-2 ATS in conference play and are 17-8 ATS this season.
They have a perfect 15-0 straight-up record at home, making United Supermarkets Arena one of the toughest places in the nation to play. The Red Raiders allow the 17th-fewest points per game.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Baylor at Texas Tech odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Baylor +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Texas Tech -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Baylor +1.5 (-107) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Baylor at Texas Tech odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas Tech 69, Baylor 65
Money line
BET on TEXAS TECH -130.
The aforementioned numbers should say enough. The Red Raiders are terrific at home, taking down teams like Iowa State and Texas. They lost by 3 on the road in overtime to Kansas Jan. 24.
The Jayhawks destroyed Baylor by 24 earlier in the year. Baylor is coming off an impressive 17-point home win over Texas, so I would play the money line here as this should be a hard-fought battle.
The Red Raiders are 11-3 ATS as home favorite and are undefeated straight up. While Baylor is 6-2 on the road this season, it is just 3-3 ATS, which considering it’s just a 1.5-point spread, is useful in this situation.
Tech already beat a healthy Baylor team at the Ferrell Center, putting 6 players in double figures, winning by just 3. The Red Raiders have proven themselves and are absolutely dominant at home.
Back them in this battle.
Against the spread
PASS.
Baylor won’t back down from a challenge and did just put up 80 on a Longhorns team that ranks 3rd in opponents’ points per game. That said, I’ll take the more expensive money line odds.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 135.5 (-107).
Both teams are competent offensively, but they’re both better on the defensive end. That was on full effect in the first matchup that ended 65-62.
The Red Raiders shot over 50.9% from the field in that first battle. It’s more about the pace than anything, and the Red Raiders will likely look to not play in transition against the quick Baylor backcourt.
The Bears are 13-11-1 O/U this season but just 5-6-1 O/U in conference play. The Red Raiders are the opposite, posting a 12-13 O/U record yet 7-5 O/U in conference play.
It’s definitely just a lean, but I prefer the Under here.
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