The No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (24-9) go head-to-head against the No. 14 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (28-6) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at American Airlines Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7:27 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Texas Tech opened as an 11-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 137.5 points.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Free Prediction
In the , the Lumberjacks beat the Southeastern Louisiana Lions, 59-55. Stephen F. Austin won the rebounding battle. The Lumberjacks had 13 offensive rebounds and 34 total rebounds, while the Lions had four and 27, respectively. With 13 points on 6-for-15 shooting, TJ Holyfield led Stephen F. Austin in scoring.
The Red Raiders lost a tough one against the No. 18 West Virginia Mountaineers in the , 66-63. West Virginia’s 12.4 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Texas Tech, who had a rate of 14.2. The Mountaineers’ mark was better than their season average of 13.5. With 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting, Jarrett Culver led Texas Tech in scoring.
Points could be at a premium in this matchup between a pair of the nation’s top defenses. Texas Tech ranks 11th in defensive efficiency (94.5) and Stephen F. Austin is sixth (93.6). It will also be a tale of two tempos as the up-tempo Lumberjacks rank 30th in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Red Raiders rank 252nd.
Stephen F. Austin heads into the game with records of 28-6 straight up (SU) and 4-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Lumberjacks are involved, as 60.0 percent of their games have finished under the total.
Texas Tech is 24-9 SU, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (13-15-1 ATS). A little over half of Red Raiders games have also finished under the projected point total.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Texas Tech, ATS Winner – Texas Tech, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Texas Tech averages 7.4 steals per game, which ranks 41st in the nation. Stephen F. Austin ranks 218th in steals allowed per game (7.5).
The Red Raiders rank 50th in blocks per game (4.3) while the Lumberjacks rank 159th (3.1).
Texas Tech ranks 13th in assists allowed per game (10.4) while Stephen F. Austin ranks 107th (12.8).
The Red Raiders rank 237th in three pointers attempted per game (19.2) while the Lumberjacks rank 250th (18.7).
Texas Tech is 31st in the nation with 31.8 rebounds allowed per game while Stephen F. Austin is 32nd with 31.9 rebounds allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Lumberjacks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.0, up from 13.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Red Raiders have scored an average of 72.2 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.6 points per game (8.9 above their season average).
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