The No. 6 Florida Gators (21-12) square off against the No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (25-9) in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at American Airlines Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 17, 2018.
Florida Gators vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders ATS Prediction
In the First Round, the Gators beat the No. 11 St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 77-62. The Gators forced 18 turnovers and held the Bonnies to an effective field goal percentage of 0.385 (below their season average of 0.520). Chris Chiozza had a good outing for Florida, contributing eight points and 11 assists.
The Red Raiders were victorious over the No. 14 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the First Round, 70-60. The Red Raiders held the Lumberjacks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 13.5 (below their season average of 34.3) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.436 (below their season average of 0.547). Keenan Evans was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
The offensive glass could be a major advantage for Texas Tech in this showdown. The Red Raiders are among the nation’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 53rd in offensive rebounding percentage at 33.2 percent. Meanwhile, Florida ranks 263rd in the NCAA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 69.5 percent. Furthermore, the Gators commit the sixth-fewest errors in the nation (turnover percentage of 14.3 percent), while the pesky defense of the Red Raiders causes the 22nd-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 22.1 percent).
Florida Gators vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Texas Tech, ATS Winner – Texas Tech, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Texas Tech ranks 31st in rebounds allowed per game (31.7) while Florida ranks 260th (37.3).
The Gators rank 66th in three pointers attempted per game (24.5) while the Red Raiders rank 259th (19.1).
Florida ranks 31st in blocks per game (4.7) while Texas Tech ranks 162nd in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
The Gators rank seventh in steals allowed per game (4.4) while the Red Raiders rank 117th (6.1).
Texas Tech is 14th in the NCAA with 10.3 assists allowed per game while Florida is 39th with 11.4 assists allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Gators’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.4, up from 6.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Red Raiders have scored an average of 71.8 points per game (3.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (6.2 above their season average).
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