LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns Picks and Predictions for Tuesday February 17 2026
Use Code WWWC The LSU Tigers travel to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Tipoff is set for 9:00 PM ET at the Moody Center, with the game airing on SEC Network. Texas is listed as a 9.5-point home favorite, and the total sits at 155.5. The moneyline has not been released at the time of this writing. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting previews and expert insights.
LSU Trying to Reverse SEC Struggles
LSU enters this matchup at 14-11 overall and 2-10 in SEC play, including a 1-5 record on the road in conference action. The Tigers have lost four of their last five games, recently falling to Tennessee 73-63, Arkansas 91-62, and Georgia 83-71. Their lone win during that stretch came in an overtime victory over South Carolina 92-87, while they also dropped a home contest to Mississippi State 80-66. The struggles in conference play have largely come from defensive inconsistency and difficulty closing out games.
Offensively, LSU averages 80.7 points per game and shoots 47% from the field, showing that scoring has not been the primary issue. The Tigers also pull down 36.8 rebounds per game and dish out 14.5 assists per contest. However, they allow 75.3 points per game, and that defensive mark has hurt them in tight SEC matchups.
One area where LSU can compete is athleticism and activity on defense. The Tigers average 3.8 blocks and 6.2 steals per game, which gives them opportunities to generate turnovers and run in transition. If LSU can speed up Texas and turn this into a more chaotic game, they may be able to keep the margin closer than expected.
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Longhorns Finding Their Groove at Home
Texas comes into this contest at 16-9 overall and 7-5 in SEC play, including a solid 5-2 home conference record. The Longhorns have won four of their last five games, recently defeating Missouri 85-68, Mississippi 79-68, South Carolina 84-75, and Oklahoma 79-69. Their only loss in that stretch came at Auburn 88-82, a competitive road performance against a strong opponent.
The Longhorns are averaging 85.2 points per game, one of the better offensive outputs in the SEC. They shoot an efficient 49% from the field and grab 39.1 rebounds per contest. Texas allows 74.4 points per game, which is slightly better than LSU’s defensive numbers. Their ability to control the glass and score efficiently has been a major factor in their recent success.
Texas does not rely heavily on shot-blocking, averaging 2.8 blocks per game, but they play disciplined defense and average 6.2 steals per contest. When they dictate pace and execute in half-court sets, they become difficult to defend, especially at the Moody Center where the offense tends to flow more freely.
LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns Pick
LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns Spread Pick
- Pick: Texas -9.5
Texas has been the more consistent team in conference play, especially at home. The Longhorns hold clear advantages in field goal percentage, rebounding, and overall scoring. LSU’s recent defensive struggles make it difficult to trust them against an offense averaging over 85 points per game. I expect Texas to build a lead in the second half and pull away late, covering the 9.5-point spread.
LSU Tigers vs Texas Longhorns Total Pick
- Pick: Over 155.5
I like the over in this matchup. Both teams average over 80 points per game, and neither defense has been particularly dominant in SEC play. LSU’s up-tempo style combined with Texas’ efficient shooting should create plenty of scoring opportunities. I see this game pushing into the high 150s or low 160s if both teams shoot near their season averages.
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