The No. 10 Texas Tech Red Raiders (22-8, 12-5 Big 12) will face off against the BYU Cougars (20-10, 8-9) on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. This matchup is attracting considerable attention, with analysis from BetMGM Sportsbook highlighting the NCAA basketball odds and offering expert picks and predictions.
Texas Tech recently had their three-game winning streak halted with a 73-65 defeat against TCU, failing to cover the 8.5-point spread as a home favorite. Donovan Atwell led the Red Raiders with 19 points, while teammates Jaylen Petty and Christian Anderson contributed 17 and 11 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, BYU is struggling after losing their last three games, including a 90-68 setback against Cincinnati, as they also failed to cover as a 1.5-point road underdog. AJ Dybantsa stood out with 23 points, accompanied by Robert Wright III’s 21 points, but the team’s scoring efforts fell short, with only 10 points combined from the rest of the roster.
In their first encounter earlier this season, Texas Tech emerged victorious with an 84-71 win over BYU, successfully covering as 2.5-point home favorites.
According to the latest odds from BetMGM Sportsbook, Texas Tech’s moneyline is set at +125, while BYU is at -150. The spread favors BYU by 2.5 points, and the over/under for the game is at 159.5.
Predictions favor Texas Tech to win 77-72, making a bet on the Red Raiders an appealing choice due to their recent performance. The Red Raiders have a strong record of 6-2 in their last eight games and a commendable 3-1 in their latest four road matches. Conversely, BYU, while performing well at home with an 11-3 record, has found themselves on a decline, struggling with just 3 wins in their last 10 games.
In considering the totals, a recommendation is made to bet on the under at 159.5, given BYU’s recent scoring struggles, hitting 71 points or fewer in two consecutive games and four of the last eight. Texas Tech has also leaned towards the under in their recent outings, with a similar pattern in allowing fewer points defensively.
As college basketball heats up, this game presents a critical opportunity for Texas Tech to get back on track and for BYU to regain momentum at home. The stakes are high as both teams look to improve their standings in the competitive NCAA landscape.