The No. 20 Arizona Wildcats and No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders will square off tonight to cap off a loaded Saturday of college basketball. With NCAA Tournament seeding on the line, this game carries significant implications for both teams.
According to Team Rankings, Texas Tech is projected as a No. 2 seed, while Arizona is projected as a No. 5 seed. Both teams enter the matchup among the hottest in the country, with Texas Tech riding a seven-game winning streak and Arizona having won five straight.
Texas Tech vs. Arizona Betting Preview
All Arkansas vs. Kentucky odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Feb. 8, 2025.
- Spread
Arizona -3.5 - CSN Spread
Arizona -.5 - Moneyline
Arizona -162, Texas Tech +136 - Over/Under
149 points - Game Time
Saturday, Feb. 8, 10:30 PM ET - Location
McKale Memorial Center | Tucson, AZ - How To Watch
ESPN
Texas Tech started slow but has quickly turned things around, emerging as one of the top teams in college basketball. Arizona, meanwhile, has struggled against non-conference opponents but has been dominant in Big 12 play, boasting a 10-1 conference record.
Against the spread (ATS), both teams are 13-9 this season:
- Texas Tech as a road underdog: 2-0 ATS
- Texas Tech on the road overall: 4-1 ATS
- Arizona as a home favorite: 7-4 ATS
- Conference games ATS: Arizona 8-4, Texas Tech 7-4
When it comes to totals, both teams lean toward the over:
- Texas Tech’s 21 games: 12 overs, 9 unders, 1 push
- Arizona’s 22 games: 13 overs, 9 unders
The opening line for this game was Arizona -2.5, but it has since moved to Arizona -3.5.
Texas Tech vs. Arizona CSN Power Rankings Line
According to CSN’s power rankings, this game should be a pick’em.
- Texas Tech ranks No. 5 in our power rankings metric
- Arizona ranks No. 9 in the same metric
With both teams performing well against the spread (ATS) and ranking so closely, our model believes this game could go either way.
Texas Tech vs Arizona Prediction
Tonight’s Big 12 battle should be a tight contest that comes down to the wire. Texas Tech thrives on defense, ranking 31st in scoring defense, and has a knack for shutting down opponents late in games. That will be key against an Arizona team that features one of the most explosive offenses in college basketball, ranking 20th in scoring.
The key factor? Can Texas Tech’s defense slow down Arizona’s high-powered offense and prevent the Wildcats from going on big runs?
MORE: Full CSN Power Rankings
While Arizona is favored, despite Texas Tech being the higher-ranked team, this game feels like a trap for Arizona bettors. Texas Tech’s fundamentally sound defense and ability to close out games give them the edge.
Picks: Over, Texas Tech +3.5
Prediction: Texas Tech 77, Arizona 76
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