Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/06/2026

Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Venue:  Fertitta Center, Houston, TX

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Texas Tech +6.5, Houston -6.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Texas Tech +6.5, Houston -6.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Texas Tech +6.5, Houston -6.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  11-3 (1-0) (8th place, Big 12)

Houston Cougars:  13-1 (1-0) (4th place, Big 12)

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Texas Tech Red Raiders:  4-1  last 5

Houston Cougars:  5-0  last 5

Texas Tech is entering this game with an 11-3 record overall, a 1-0 record in conference games, and they are 0-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their last game. JT Toppin led the team in points in that game with 23 while LeJuan Watts and Christian Anderson each were next on the team with 19. Christian Anderson led the team in assists with 13 in that game while JT Toppin led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 48.1% from the field, 45.9% from 3-point range, and 78.6% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 85.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 73.6 PPG against them. Texas Tech has an ATS record of 6-8 this season and their O/U record is 7-7.

Houston is entering this game with a 13-1 record overall, a 1-0 conference record, and they are 7-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Cincinnati Bearcats in their last game. Kingston Flemings led the team in points in that game with 19 while Milos Uzan was next on the team with 18. Kingston Flemings led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Chris Cenac led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 41.3% from the field, 32% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 60 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 7-7 this season and their O/U record is 7-7.

The current betting odds have Texas Tech listed as a 6.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Texas Tech has looked really good in their games this season with their 11-3 record overall and their 1-0 conference record which has them in the top half of the Big 12. They haven't been a great road team so far though, going 0-1 in their road games this season. Meanwhile, Houston has looked great in their games this season with their 13-1 record overall and their 1-0 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big 12. They have looked great on their home court too with their 7-0 home record this season. Houston was one of the best teams in the nation last season, almost winning the National Championship, and they very well could be one of the best teams again this season. Their only loss was against Tennessee in a tournament and they have been rolling in their games lately, but they aren't the kind of team that blows opponents out, especially if they are playing against another ranked opponent. Houston is 5-0 in their last 5 games, but Texas Tech is 4-1 and they have been rolling lately with some really good wins. They have a win over Duke and they are off a really good double digit win against a solid Oklahoma State team to start the Big 12 schedule. Texas Tech has also had a tough schedule to start the season so even though they lost their only road game this year, they are going to put up a good fight here and have the talent to keep this a close game. The best way to place a bet here is on Texas Tech to cover the spread in this game. 

Texas Tech Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Tuesday, January 6, 2026 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Houston 70 Texas Tech 67.

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Texas Tech Red Raiders: 15-22 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5. 5-11 ATS off a home blowout win by 20 points or more. 1-9 ATS versus teams who average 9 or more steals/game on the season. 6-4 UNDER in a road game where the total is 140 to 149.5.

Houston Cougars: 24-15 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 32-24 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 37-26 ATS versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing 14 turnovers/game or less. 27-14 UNDER as a home favorite or pick.

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

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

"Christian Anderson's really orchestrated everything at a super-high level. It's nuanced, too. I know people can look at it and (he) makes it look easy at times, but, man, his pace right now, his confidence, his composure, his ability to read what's happening and not get sped up and let it develop. Christian Anderson is carrying a heavy load for us, but, man, is he delivering in just about every way." - Grant McCasland after his team’s win against Oklahoma State in their last game. 

"Believe it or not, I played five freshmen in the first half -- who does that? No one ever accused me of being very smart." - Kelvin Sampson after his team’s win against Cincinnati in their last game. 

C. Anderson 

D. Atwell 

T. Bryan 

J. Toppin 

L. Watts

C. Cenac 

K. Flemings 

E. Sharp 

J. Tugler 

M. Uzan

PPG: JT Toppin (21.2)

APG: Christian Anderson (7.5)

Reb/G: JT Toppin (10.8)

PPG: Emanuel Sharp (15.9)

APG: Kingston Flemings (5)

Reb/G: Chris Cenac Jr. (7.4)

Coaches:

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

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (12th season)