Texas Tech vs LSU Odds, Lines, and Spread

• #10 Texas Tech is a 1.5-point road favorite over LSU on Saturday (Jan. 30th, 2 pm EST)
• Six of the Red Raiders last seven games have gone over the total

• See below for analysis, odds and a betting prediction

Saturday’s college hoops slate is absolutely loaded with 17 ranked teams in action, including #10 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders (11-5, 4-4 Big 12) will visit LSU (11-4, 6-3 SEC) at 2 pm EST as part of the Big 12-SEC challenge.

Texas Tech enters play fresh off a pair of losses, while the Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak of their own last time out.

#10 Texas Tech vs LSU Odds

Odds taken Jan. 29th.

Despite their recent struggles, the Red Raiders opened up as a 1.5-point favorite in a game that features a total of 150.5. The over/under may seem high for a Texas Tech game, but it’s a number that has been eclipsed in five of its last six contests, including last time out versus #11 West Virginia.

Red Raiders Fall Short at the Buzzer

Texas Tech dropped an 88-87 decision on the road, wasting a season-high 30 points from leading scorer Mac McClung. The Junior transfer made 11-of-21 shots from the field, but missed a jumper at the buzzer for the win.

Final from Morgantown. pic.twitter.com/ixrw7DHDxZ

— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) January 26, 2021

Terrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 15 points and 8 boards, but no other Red Raider reached double figures. The loss dropped them to 4-4 in conference play, but marked the fourth time in six games they’ve allowed at at least 71 points. Defense has been the staple of this program for the last few years, and while they still rank 14th in the nation in points allowed, their play at that end of the court has trailed off since Big 12 action started.

As a result, more and more of their games are going over the total, and Saturday’s matchup versus a very strong LSU offense is shaping up to be another high-scoring affair.

Tigers Tame Aggies

The Tigers are fresh off a 78-66 win over the Texas A&M Aggies, rallying to score the game’s final 18 points to seal the victory. Cameron Thomas led the way with 28 points, while Ja’Vonte Smart added 19 points and 9 assists, and Trendon Watford chipped in 13 points.

🐯 28 Pts
🐯 4 Reb
🐯 4 Ast

Cam Thomas doing Cam Thomas things. @LSUBasketball pic.twitter.com/zfFVwYVUFy

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 27, 2021

LSU ranks ninth in the country in points per game, 37th in field goal percentage and 24th in shooting efficiency. Only six teams average more first half points, and the combination of an efficient offense and a below average defense has led to the majority of their games hitting the over.

The Tigers surrender 74 points per outing and are yielding a 48.8% field goal percentage and 9.1 made 3’s per contest.

10 of their 15 games have soared over the total, including five of nine at home. The over is also 7-2 in games where they’ve had at least two days rest, a category which Saturday’s contest falls into.

Expect Offensive Fireworks

Texas Tech games meanwhile, haven’t just been hitting the over, they’ve been crushing it. Six of their past seven outings have eclipsed the total, and the over is 3-1 in their road games this season. Their contests away from home are clearing the total by an average of 21.4 points, and their last outing beat the number by 39 points.

🗣 @CoachBeardTTU

“We’re looking forward to the challenge and opportunity of playing LSU on this stage.”

🎥: https://t.co/0Jx8brEVo0 pic.twitter.com/dtF1zQtZFJ

— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) January 28, 2021

I like this matchup against LSU to be just as high-scoring, if not higher, especially given the fact that few teams have been able to slow down the Tigers proficient offense this season.

Pick: Over 150.5 (-110)