The 24th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-3) welcome the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (4-7) to United Supermarkets Arena. The Vaqueros can snap a five-game road losing streak. Action begins at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21, 2019.
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders ATS Odds
In their last game, the Red Raiders defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, 71-65, while the Vaqueros lost to the Omaha Mavericks, 92-82.
Texas Tech dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.429 (above their season average of 0.274) and a turnover percentage of 15.0 (better than their season average of 17.1). Southern Miss was 0.145 and 21.0, respectively, for those same stats. UT Rio Grande Valley, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (12.1 vs. 18.9). Chris Clarke put together a solid outing for Texas Tech with 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. UT Rio Grande Valley, meanwhile, was lifted by Javon Levi, who contributed 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
The Red Raiders won the only contest between these two teams last season, 71-46. The Red Raiders’ 39.1 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Vaqueros, who had a rate of 24.2. This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
The physical Texas Tech offense could be living from the charity stripe in this battle. The Red Raiders rank 27th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.288, while UT Rio Grande Valley is among the NCAA’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 327th-ranked FTA rate of 0.298).
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Texas Tech Red Raiders Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Texas Tech, ATS Winner – Texas Tech, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Texas Tech ranks 39th in rebounds per game (39.8) while UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 177th in rebounds allowed per game (36.5).
- The Vaqueros rank 28th in steals per game (9.1) while the Red Raiders rank 98th in steals allowed per game (6.5).
- UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 28th in blocks per game (5.2) while Texas Tech ranks 97th (3.2).
- The Red Raiders rank eighth in assists per game (17.5) while the Vaqueros rank 111th in assists allowed per game (12.6).
- UT Rio Grande Valley ranks 13th in three pointers allowed per game (17.2) while Texas Tech ranks 112th (21.6).
Bettings Trends:
- The Vaqueros’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 3.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Red Raiders have scored an average of 67.6 points per game (9.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (4.1 above their season average).
