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Illinois vs. Texas Tech Prediction: College Basketball Picks & Odds (Nov. 10)

My Illinois vs. Texas Tech prediction targets the Fighting Illini's changing offensive philosophy as their advantage over the Red Raiders.
Mike Spector
Mike Spector

Last Updated: November 10, 2026 9:07 AM EST • 3 minute read

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies as we make our best Illinois vs. Texas Tech prediction.
Pictured: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Connecticut Huskies as we make our best Illinois vs. Texas Tech prediction. Photo by Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.
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No. 3 Illinois has averaged a blistering 116 points per game heading into a road matchup against unbeaten No. 16 Texas Tech, and my Illinois vs. Texas Tech prediction believes the Fighting Illini’s vastly different offensive philosophy from last year will have the Red Raiders’ heads spinning on defense.

Illinois has been bet up from a 1.5 to a 2.5-point favorite at most top sports betting sites in a game with one of the highest totals on Tuesday’s slate (O/U 167.5). Tipoff from United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock is set for 8 p.m. ET, streaming on Peacock.

Illinois vs. Texas Tech picks & odds

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds.

Pick Odds Bet size (units)
Illinois -1.5 -115 via BetMGM 1 unit to profit 0.87 units
Ethan Brown Over 1.5 3-pointers +110 via bet365 1 unit to profit 1.1 units
Quentin Coleman Under 5.5 rebounds -135 via bet365 1 unit to profit 0.74 units

Picks submitted: Nov. 10 at 8:05 a.m. ET. Odds subject to change. 

Total wagered: 3 units | Profit if all picks win: 2.71 units

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Illinois vs. Texas Tech best bet

Illinois -1.5 (-115 via BetMGM)

Illinois has been dealing with injuries to two key rotation players from last year (Jake Davis and David Mirkovic), but one wouldn’t know it, as they rank first in adjusted offensive efficiency and 2-point shooting. The Fighting Illini are extremely difficult to stop on their first shot attempt, but it's even more puzzling for defenses to hold them to an empty trip when they secure 51.3% of their misses (the third-best offensive rebounding rate in the country).

Illinois beat Texas Tech 81-77 at home in the third game of the season last year, but the Illini’s advantage this time around will be an offense that looks almost unrecognizable from that game. Illinois ran pick-and-roll on 35 possessions in that matchup last year (their second highest all season) but have used it just once in 162 possessions this season.

Play to: -2.5 (-105) 

Score prediction: Illinois 82, Texas Tech 78

Illinois vs. Texas Tech player props

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

Ethan Brown Over 1.5 3-pointers (+110 via bet365)

When Illinois put up 120 points against Fairleigh Dickinson in the season opener, it did so by playing at a blistering pace with 75 possessions. The Fighting Illini only had three games finish in regulation with that many possessions last year, so there is clearly an emphasis on pushing tempo relative to their No. 335 ranking in offensive tempo last season.

The three pick-and-rolls Illinois ran in that game all led to kick-out 3-point attempts, and Ethan Brown has been one of the team’s best sharpshooters so far. He has been consistent, making multiple 3-pointers in both games, and is shooting 50% from beyond the arc. Thus, this is great value at plus-money odds when facing a Red Raiders defense that ranks 340th in 3-point attempts per field goal attempt allowed (54.3%).

Play to: Over 1.5 made 3-pointers at -110 or better. Pass at 2.5.  

Quentin Coleman Under 5.5 rebounds (-135 via bet365)

Quentin Coleman, a 6-foot-4 guard, has been somewhat of a statistical anomaly for Illinois this season, as he followed up a 10-rebound game in the season opener with just three boards in the win over Penn. 

I’m not banking on Coleman to secure offensive rebounds (only one of his 13 total rebounds has come from the offensive glass), since the Fighting Illini typically have four players on the perimeter. So while Illinois also ranks sixth in defensive rebounding percentage and would prefer to play a high-possession game, I cannot see Coleman exceeding this total, even if there will be plenty of opportunities for long rebounds, with Texas Tech attempting 3-pointers at the 32nd-highest rate in the country.

Play to: Under 4.5 rebounds at +100 or better

Live Illinois vs. Texas Tech odds

See the latest odds movement and more on our Illinois vs. Texas Tech matchup page. 

Latest Illinois vs. Texas Tech injuries

Illinois:

  • Jake Davis, F (Shoulder) - out
  • David Mirkovic, F (Foot) - out

Texas Tech:

  • JT Toppin, C (Knee) - out

How to watch Illinois vs. Texas Tech

  • Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10
  • Tipoff: 8 p.m. ET
  • Location: United Supermarkets Arena (Lubbock, Texas)
  • TV/Streaming: Peacock
Written by:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike leans on his NFL experience and always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”