It’ll be a packed crowd in prime time on Monday when No. 9 Texas Tech hosts No. 5 Houston. The Red Raiders come in as slight home underdogs (+1.5), according to ESPN BET, against the Cougars’ vaunted defense that is rated No. 3 in the country, according to KenPom’s defensive ratings. Meanwhile, Texas Tech has the 10th- rated offense and the seventh-best overall net rating, just behind Houston’s No. 3 net rating. Monday’s game is a big one, as conference tournament play is just a few weeks away. The Cougars (23-4, 15-1 Big 12) lead the conference by three games, ahead of Texas Tech (21-6, 12-4) and Arizona, and it’s possible these two Texas schools could be on a collision course for the conference title game in Kansas City, Mo. next month. Houston vs. Texas Tech odds Houston vs. Texas Tech prediction These two played Feb. 1 in Houston and Texas Tech escaped with an 82-81 overtime win, with late free throws from Chance McMllian sealing it for the Red Raiders. That setback marks Houston’s only conference defeat, but the Cougars haven’t been as dominant lately despite six straight wins. They only bested Iowa State by nine points Saturday, despite being 12.5-point favorites against a Cyclones team missing star guards Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones. Houston turned the ball over 17 times in that game, but offset the giveaways by shooting 58.8 percent from 3-point range. There are some concerns that the Cougars’ ball security could negate their strong half-court defense if they aren’t scorching from deep. Betting on College Basketball? Check out the best College Basketball betting sites Read our guide on how to bet on College Basketball Get the latest NCAA Championship Winner odds If you let opposing teams get out in transition, Houston’s best asset becomes minimized. The Raiders did a great job on the glass in the first clash, with Houston having a slight 38-37 edge. All in all, the Raiders are a tough matchup against Houston and I love getting plus-odds at home. PICK: Texas Tech moneyline (+110, ESPN BET) Why Trust New York Post Betting Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he’s showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.