Milwaukee vs. #11 Texas Tech: Game Preview and Analysis

College basketball gives us a smaller slate tonight, but one matchup jumps off the page right away. The action shifts to Lubbock, where No. 11 Texas Tech looks to bounce back in a major way as they host the Milwaukee Panthers. Both teams enter this game trying to reset after tough losses earlier in the week. Texas Tech battled hard but fell short against No. 14 Illinois, while Milwaukee was overwhelmed on the road by Indiana. Now the Panthers must regroup and face another elite opponent, this time in one of the most hostile environments in the country. With contrasting styles, major talent gaps, and plenty of emotion riding on this spot, this matchup sets the stage for a strong response from the Red Raiders.

Let us have a Friday and dive into the play for this one.

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2024-25 Season: -14.5 Units

Last 7 Days: 8-6 (+1.52 Units)

2025-26 Season: 14-12 (+1.8 Units)

Milwaukee vs. #11 Texas Tech Odds

Can the Red Raiders bounce back after a tough loss to Illinois?

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

Milwaukee: +27.5 (-110)

Texas Tech: -27.5 (-110)

Total

Over: 165 (-108)

Under: 165 (-112)

Moneyline

Milwaukee: N/A

Texas Tech: N/A

Milwaukee vs. #11 Texas Tech Best Bet

Only a few ranked games this evening, and one of the most exciting is happening in Lubbock, where No. 11 Texas Tech hosts the Milwaukee Panthers. Both teams enter this one coming off tough losses. Texas Tech fell 81 to 77 to No. 14 Illinois on Tuesday, while Milwaukee just took a 101 to 70 loss to Indiana in Bloomington.

I grabbed Texas Tech at 27.5 without even thinking on Thursday afternoon. This feels like a clear bounce back spot for a Texas Tech team that was just embarrassed on the road in Champaign. Meanwhile, Milwaukee was shredded by Indiana on Wednesday, and now must regroup and hit the road again to face a top fifteen team. That is a tall ask for any group this early in the season. Milwaukee has also already lost to a Wofford team in the mid-200s. Losing 86 to 76 on the road last Saturday. The Panthers were a three-point road favorite in that matchup. They are currently one and three against the spread this season, and their lone cover was a 92 to 72 win over Little Rock as 3.5-point favorites.

Bounce Back Red Raiders

The advanced metrics project this game around a 24-point win for Texas Tech, but those numbers do not account for the emotional let down in the prior matchup. Texas Tech consistently performs well at home, and the Red Raider fans on a Friday night should pack the gym and create a hostile environment for Milwaukee. On top of that, the Red Raiders prefer a much slower pace than the Panthers. According to Haslametrics, Milwaukee is the 76th fastest team in the country, while Texas Tech sits at 226th.

Even with that slower pace, the Texas Tech defense should be able to control the Milwaukee offense. The Panthers also struggle defending the perimeter, sitting at 321st in three point defense. Texas Tech is not only 74th in three- point rate, they are inside the top 100 in three-point percentage. If they happen to miss from deep, the Red Raiders can make up for it, ranking 41st in offensive rebounding. This feels like a very overwhelming spot for Milwaukee, even after already facing a team on Indiana’s level.

Texas Tech should set the tone from the opening tip and overwhelm Milwaukee on both ends of the floor. The Red Raiders have the clear advantage in talent, depth, and defensive toughness, and the home crowd on a Friday night will only add to the pressure. With their perimeter shooting, rebounding edge, and overall pace control, Texas Tech is built to pull away early and never look back. I expect them to cover the 27.5 and win this one with ease.