The Cincinnati Bearcats are set to face the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. This matchup comes as Cincinnati aims to build on their recent momentum following an impressive victory over the Kansas Jayhawks, where they won 84-68 as an 8.5-point underdog. The Bearcats have been on a roll, winning their last four games, and will look to extend that streak against a tough Texas Tech squad.
The Red Raiders also come into this game with a strong performance under their belt, having decisively defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 100-72 while covering as a 12.5-point favorite. Texas Tech’s recent record includes covering the spread in each of their wins, indicating solid performance in high-pressure situations.
In their last meeting, Texas Tech triumphed over Cincinnati 81-71 after having dropped their first two encounters, which adds further intrigue to this matchup.
As for betting odds, BetMGM Sportsbook currently lists the moneyline for Cincinnati at +185 and for Texas Tech at -225. The spread has Cincinnati at +5.5 and Texas Tech -5.5, while the over/under is set at 142.5.
Based on current form, a prediction leans in favor of Texas Tech with a projected score of 77-70. The Red Raiders have shown consistency at home with a 3-2 record in conference play in Lubbock since mid-January and an ability to cover the spread in three of their last four games as favorites.
The Bearcats might have gained confidence from their recent road victories, but historical performance suggests that they struggle against ranked teams in challenging environments. The analysis hints that while Cincinnati’s offense is performing well—having scored 84 or more points in three of their last four—the expectation is that Texas Tech will have the edge in this contest.
For those looking to place bets, the recommendation is to take Texas Tech -5.5, alongside the over on 142.5, given both teams’ recent scoring trends.
With both teams showcasing strong capabilities, this game is poised to be an exciting encounter in the NCAA basketball landscape.