DePaul vs Texas Tech: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | December 4, 2024

DePaul’s undefeated start has been impressive, but it’s time for a reality check. Tonight, the Blue Demons face their toughest challenge yet on the road against Texas Tech, a top-20 team with an elite defense and deliberate pace. With no prior road tests and no games against high-quality opponents, DePaul will have to prove they can compete at this level—and I’m not convinced they’re ready.

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DePaul vs Texas Tech Odds

Can the Red Raiders hold down the red hot Blue Demons?

DePaul vs Texas Tech odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on College Basketball games.

Spread

DePaul: +16 (-110)

Texas Tech: -16 (-110)

Total

Over: 149.5 (-105)

Under: 149.5 (-115)

Moneyline

DePaul: +875

Texas Tech: -1550

DePaul vs Texas Tech Preview

As a proud two-time DePaul graduate, it pains me to say this, but the Blue Demons are in for a rude awakening tonight in Lubbock, Texas. The 7-0, undefeated DePaul squad has surprised many with their dominant performances so far this season. However, it is hard to truly evaluate a team after just seven home games, especially when the highest-ranked opponent they have faced is Duquesne, sitting at 179th on Bart Torvik.

This team hasn’t been tested on the road. They haven’t faced a top-100, top-75, top-50, or certainly not a top-20 opponent. That changes tonight, which is why I’m taking their team total under. Is that the only reason? Absolutely not.

First, pace of play will be a major factor. Texas Tech plays at a crawl, ranking 268th in tempo, compared to DePaul’s more frenetic 179th ranking. The slower pace will disrupt DePaul’s rhythm and limit their scoring opportunities.

Second, Texas Tech’s defense is elite. The Red Raiders are top-100 in almost every defensive category: adjusted efficiency, effective field goal percentage, turnover percentage, rebounding, and two-point defense. While their three-point defense is a notable weakness (293rd nationally), they’ve been much better at home, ranking 188th in this category. DePaul leans heavily on the three-ball (14th in three-point rate), but replicating their 40% shooting from deep in a hostile environment like this? That’s a tall order.

The Red Raiders have held five of their seven opponents below DePaul’s team total projection tonight, and none of those opponents were as highly ranked as the Blue Demons. The closest comparison is Syracuse, who managed 74 points against Tech—but unlike DePaul, Syracuse has faced legitimate tests this season, including games against Texas and Tennessee.

DePaul’s first true road test is against a top-20 team—a team ranked 160 spots higher than the best opponent they have faced so far. Expecting them to maintain their stellar three-point shooting in an unfamiliar gym, against this defense, feels overly optimistic. Feasible? Maybe. But not tonight.