Houston Cougars vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/24/2026

Game Time: 2:00 pm ET, Saturday, January 24, 2026

Venue:  United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, TX

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Houston -2.5, Texas Tech +2.5; Over/Under:  139.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Houston -2.5, Texas Tech +2.5; Over/Under:  139.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Houston -2.5, Texas Tech +2.5; Over/Under:  139.5 points

Houston Cougars:  17-1 (5-0) (2nd place, Big 12)

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  15-4 (5-1) (3rd place, Big 12)

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Houston Cougars:  5-0  last 5

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  4-1  last 5

Houston is entering this game with a 17-1 record overall, a 5-0 record in conference games, and they are 2-0 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Arizona State Sun Devils in their last game. Kingston Flemings led the team in points in that game with 20 while Chris Cenac was next on the team with 18. Kingston Flemings led the team in assists with 8 in that game while Chris Cenac led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 56.3% from the field, 48% from 3-point range, and 91.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 78.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 60.1 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 10-8 this season and their O/U record is 8-10.

Texas Tech is entering this game with a 15-4 record overall, a 5-1 conference record, and they are 10-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Baylor Bears in their last game. Christian Anderson led the team in points in that game with 26 while JT Toppin was next on the team with 22. Christian Anderson led the team in assists with 6 in that game while LeJuan Watts led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 60% from the field, 63% from 3-point range, and 81.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 73.1 PPG against them. Texas Tech has an ATS record of 9-10 this season and their O/U record is 9-10.

The current betting odds have Texas Tech listed as a 2.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Texas Tech has looked really good in their games this season with their 15-4 record overall and their 5-1 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big 12. They have looked great on their home court too with their 10-0 home record this season. Meanwhile, Houston has looked great in their games this season with their 17-1 record overall and their 5-0 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big 12. They have been a good road team too with their 2-0 road record this year. Houston is one of the best teams in the nation this year and they didn't look great to start the season, even though they were still winning games. They didn't look nearly like the same team that went to the National Championship last season, but they have looked better and better as the season has gone on and they have been rolling over teams lately. Their only loss of the year was against Tennessee and they have been rolling since then with 11 wins in a row now. They are off a win over Arizona State in their last one and they have been blowing teams out by double digits lately, but their closest game was a 4 point home win over Texas Tech and now they are going to have a big target on their back here. Texas Tech has also been rolling in their games lately. Their only conference loss was that 4 point loss in Houston, but they have won 4 games in a row since that loss and they have been blowing teams out too. Texas Tech played a really tight game already with Houston on the road and they are going to have their best effort here to take them down. Houston has been rolling lately, but they aren't going to run the table, and this Texas Tech team has the talent to put an end to this streak. The best way to place a bet here is on Texas Tech to cover the spread in this game. 

Houston Texas Tech Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, January 24, 2026 (2:00 pm ET start time) is Texas Tech 74 Houston 71.

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Houston Cougars: 4-8 ATS after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 5-9 ATS after scoring 85 points or more. 0-4 ATS after a game where they made 55% of their shots or better. 10-3 UNDER in a road game where the total is 130 to 139.5. 36-18 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%).

Texas Tech Red Raiders: 12-6 ATS versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting 18 free throws/game or less. 9-3 1H ATS off a road win against a conference rival. 15-8 1H ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 8-2 UNDER in a home game where the total is 130 to 139.5. 

Houston Cougars:  K. Jefferson (G) Out - Knee. B. Jackson (G) Out - Redshirt.

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  J. Henderson (G) Questionable - Undisclosed. L. Hoover (F) Out - Redshirt. L. Bamgboye (F) Questionable - Leg. J. Moseley (F) Questionable - Lower Body.

“I just think Chris shows up every day.” - Kelvin Sampson on Chris Cenac Jr this season.

“He doesn't get enough credit for the hockey assist. We threw it to him, I don't know, maybe 10 times early in the game, and he just makes the right play over and over and over again." - Grant McCasland after his team’s win against Baylor in their last game. 

C. Cenac 

K. Flemings 

E. Sharp 

J. Tugler 

M. Uzan

C. Anderson 

D. Atwell 

J. Petty 

J. Toppin 

L. Watts

PPG: Emanuel Sharp (15.9)

APG: Kingston Flemings (5.4)

Reb/G: Chris Cenac Jr. (7.6)

PPG: JT Toppin (21.6)

APG: Christian Anderson (7.4)

Reb/G: JT Toppin (10.8)

Coaches:

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (12th season)

Texas Tech Red Raiders: Grant McCasland (3rd season)