🏀 Texas Tech vs. BYU Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Picks Today (March 7)

On a day where motivation isn't as clear across college basketball, I'm eager to back a desperate BYU team at home when it faces Texas Tech. Tipoff is 10:30 p.m. ET at Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on ESPN.

The Cougars, who have lost three straight games, are short a short betting favorite to stop the slide in their regular-season finale. That's pretty telling to me, and ultimately why my Texas Tech vs. BYU prediction favors the Cougars in this Big 12 battle.

🏀 Texas Tech vs. BYU picks & odds today: March 7

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.65 units

💰 Texas Tech vs. BYU prediction & best bet

BYU (-130)

I'd recommend acting quickly on DraftKings' -130 price tag to take BYU's moneyline. This line has drifted out to -145 or worse at every other shop.

The market knows that this is a desperation spot for the Cougars, who have lost three in a row and four of their last five. But they are also much better at home than on the road, posting an 11-3 record in the Marriott Center.

Texas Tech, meanwhile, is coming off a loss as it continues to adjust to life without JT Toppin. I'd back the Cougars straight up if both rosters were are full strength, but I'll certainly do so with the Red Raiders missing their best player.

Score prediction: BYU 83, Texas Tech 80

🔥 Best Texas Tech vs. BYU player prop bet

AJ Dybantsa Under 27.5 points (-125)

Honestly, this play is more about price shopping than anything else.

BYU forward AJ Dybantsa has a scoring line as high as 27.5 at BetMGM and bet365, but FanDuel and Caesars have set the same prop at 25.5. FanDuel even charges -120 for the Under.

That suggests someone is wrong, and I'm guessing it's the higher total. Dybantsa hasn't scored more than 23 points in back-to-back games, with defenses putting more of their attention on him since Richie Saunders' injury. Dybantsa was also held to 13 points in his first meeting with Texas Tech.

This total seems a touch too high, so I'd grab the Under at -130 or better.

🚀 Texas Tech vs. BYU same-game parlay

My Texas Tech vs. BYU same-game parlay has a juicy payout of +850 at bet365 by targeting my three picks for tonight's game. These three legs are completely unrelated, which helps maximize the potential payout. Still, it's only worth a sprinkle ahead of Saturday's Big 12 battle.

💡 How I'm betting Texas Tech vs. BYU

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

I've written a few college basketball predictions today, and in every one, I've mentioned that discerning motivation is difficult. What teams are trying to win in the regular-season finale, and what squads are looking ahead to the postseason?

The good news about this Texas Tech vs. BYU matchup is that the Cougars seem desperate to end their losing skid before the Big 12 tournament. And they have proven to be a much better team at home.

That's why I feel comfortable betting two units between three wagers, with BYU's moneyline taking up half that allocation.

📊 Live Texas Tech vs. BYU odds

All signs point toward the market preferring BYU in this spot. The Cougars have gone from -2 to -2.5 across the board, while their moneyline price tag has climbed from -130 to -155. The total has remained steady at 159.5.

I think BYU will continue to earn more bets, pushing the consensus moneyline and spread further in its favor.

📈 Texas Tech vs. BYU betting trends

📺 How to watch Texas Tech vs. BYU

• Date: Saturday, March 7
• Tipoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Marriott Center (Provo, Utah)
• TV: ESPN