The Illinois Fighting Illini will travel to Lubbock on Tuesday night for a top-20 matchup against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. It will be a rematch from last year's game in Champaign last November and will be one of many marquee non-conference matchups on Tuesday night. Last year's matchup resulted in an Illinois 81-77 win on their home court, and I expect Texas Tech to return the favor in front of their home crowd. They have one of the best home environments in college basketball, and the Illini will be relying on numerous freshmen who will be playing in their first true road game of their college careers.
The spread favors Illinois by 2.5 points but I am rolling with the home underdog. The Red Raiders are one of the most experienced teams in the sport and that should help them early on in the season. According to KenPom, Texas Tech is currently ranked No. 2 nationally in experience and that should pay dividends in November as so many teams are still looking to mesh with new players. The Texas Tech defense might force Illinois to commit too many turnovers for the Illini to cover the short spread. According to Bart Torvik, Texas Tech’s defense is ranked No. 5 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 2 in turnover percentage through two games. The Illini had 19 turnovers in their last game and could struggle again here against an experienced backcourt.
This game could go either way and will be great television on Tuesday night inside United Supermarkets Arena. I am rolling with the home underdog here and taking Texas Tech.
Illinois vs Texas Tech prediction: Texas Tech +2.5 (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable to 1.5 (-110).
