Texas Tech Red Raiders (19-7) vs. Central Florida Knights (13-12)
February 24, 2024 4:00 pm EDT
The Line: Central Florida Knights +1.5; Over/Under: +139.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Texas Tech Red Raiders will play the UCF Knights in a Big 12 game on Saturday afternoon at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida. Texas Tech has won three of their last four games, while UCF is on a four game losing streak. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Texas Tech vs UCF prediction.
Texas Tech Preview
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are 19-7 (8-5) this season after they defeated TCU by a score of 82-81 in their last game. Texas Tech was tied at 38 at halftime, but they were able to score 44 points in the second half for the win. The Red Raiders shot 39.4% from the field and were -13 in rebounding margin in the game. Texas Tech lost to Iowa State by a score of 82-74 in the game prior to TCU, but did beat Kansas and UCF before that. The Red Raiders are scoring 76.5 points per game with 35.1 rebounds per game and 15.1 assists per game, while allowing 68.7 points against per game this year. Pop Isaacs is averaging 16.2 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game. Texas Tech is shooting 45.8% from the field, 78% on free throws, and 36.7% on three pointers this season.
UCF Preview
The UCF Knights are 13-12 (4-9) this year after they lost to West Virginia by a score of 77-67 in their last game. UCF trailed 37-30 at the half and they allowed 40 second half points in the loss. The Knights shot 32.9% from the field and were -6 in rebounding margin in the game. UCF has also lost to Cincinnati, BYU, and Texas Tech during this losing streak. The Knights are scoring 71.9 points per game with 38 rebounds per game and 12.2 assists per game, while giving up 67 points against per game this season. Jaylin Sellers is averaging 16.5 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game. UCF is shooting 41.6% from the field, 70.1% on free throws, and 31.3% on three pointers this year.
Texas Tech vs UCF Betting Prediction
UCF comes into this game on a four game losing streak and they are near the bottom of the Big 12 standings, but they will be at home for this game. The Knights are only shooting 41.6% from the field and they have allowed 76+ points in three straight games. Texas Tech is 8-5 in conference play and they are tied for 3rd in the standings. The Red Raiders have won three of their last four games, including a 66-59 win against UCF, but they are 0-3 in their last three road games. Texas Tech is the better team in this matchup and I don’t think it’s that close, so the road troubles don’t worry me as much. Take the Red Raiders here.
