Illinois Fighting Illini vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Predictions

Three frontcourt absences cloud the matchup

Illinois Roundtable reports that No. 3 Illinois and No. 16 Texas Tech are both 2-0 entering Tuesday’s game at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock. SPF lists Illinois as a 2.5-point road favorite and -135 on the moneyline, with Texas Tech at +114.

The same report lists Illinois forwards David Mirkovic and Jake Davis as out, along with Texas Tech forward JT Toppin. Without season statistics, confirmed starters or information about their replacements, there isn’t a sound basis for deciding which team can handle those losses better. That makes both sides of the spread difficult to back.

The total is 167.5, with the over at -108 and the under at -112. No pace, efficiency or recent-results data is available to support either side, so the total is also a pass. Illinois remains the likely winner because SPF prices the Illini as the favorite, but the missing lineup and performance details don’t justify laying -135.