The Texas Tech Red Raiders and Houston Cougars continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Monday, February 24th, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. central. Texas Tech (21-6, 12-4 Big 12) enters the contest as the No. 9 team in the country, while Houston (23-4, 15-1) checks in at No. 5 in the latest AP Poll.
All games are not created equal, and on Monday night, there won’t be a game in college basketball that rivals this one’s importance. Fifth-ranked Houston has won 15 of 16 games in Big 12 play this season, their lone loss coming to the Red Raiders on February 1.
Tech has lost a couple of tough road games since then, but is coming off a 22-point victory over West Virginia and needs this win to keep pace with Arizona as the No. 2 seed in the Big 12. Meanwhile, Houston will look to avenge its only Big 12 loss of the season and get one step closer to securing its second consecutive Big 12 regular-season title.
Here is a preview of Monday’s game.
How to Watch Texas Tech vs. Houston
Date: Monday, Feb. 24, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN
Site: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, Texas
Texas Tech vs. Houston Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Houston (-1.5)
Current Line: Houston (-1.5)
Over/Under: 131.5
Texas Tech vs. Houston Predictions
Unless the Cougars fall off a cliff over the next two weeks, they appear to be in line to won another Big 12 regular season title. In two seasons, Houston has put together a 30-4 record in conference play and appears to be one of a handful of teams that deserve to be in the discussion of being a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament next month.
However, Texas Tech’s win over these Coogs was no fluke, and a regular season sweep over the Big 12’s top team could move them up to the two-line. As always, JT Toppin will be pivotal in this game, but Darrion Williams will probably be the difference maker if TTU is going to pick up a monstrous win.
For Houston, the ball has to go LJ Cryer, who is coming off a 28-point performance against Iowa State. If the Coogs avoid turnovers in this game—something much easier said than done against the Red Raiders—they have a good chance of picking up the win on the road.
But, if Tech can turn them over and make the Coogs pay, the home team will be celebrating at the end of the night—and that’s exactly what I think will happen.
Texas Tech 71, Houston 69
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Houston (61.6% Chance of Winning)
