Baylor vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Prediction & Picks - NCAA Men

Prediction published on 1/20/26, 5:14 PM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 1/22/26 at 6:26 PM in Basketball Picks

The No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders (14-4, 4-1 Big 12) will try to keep from losing ground on conference leaders Arizona and Houston when they take on the Baylor Bears (11-6, 1-4 Big 12) in Waco, TX, at the Foster Pavilion on Tuesday, January 20. Tipoff for this Big 12 battle is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST, with coverage provided by Peacock.

Texas Tech has been one of the top programs in the Big 12 in recent years, and after reaching the Elite 8 last year, hopes were high coming into this season. At 14-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play, they are certainly having a good season, but it remains to be seen if they are a true contender. They are 2-4 against ranked teams with losses to No. 14 Illinois (81-77), No. 1 Purdue (86-56), No. 17 Arkansas (93-86), and No. 7 Houston (69-65). As for their wins, they came against No. 3 Duke (82-81) and No. 11 BYU (84-71). So, there have been signs of potential greatness, but the team may just need to gel a little more first. As for Baylor, the Bears looked good in nonconference play, going 10-2 with losses to No. 14 St. John’s and Memphis. But conference play has been rough for them, starting with a loss to TCU, followed by another to No. 3 Iowa State, and then to No. 7 Houston. They last played on Friday, falling to Kansas 80-62.