The No. 1 Villanova Wildcats (33-4) battle against the No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (27-9) in the Elite Eight at TD Garden. The game is scheduled to get underway at 2:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 25, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 144.5 points with Villanova set as a 6.5-point favorite.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Villanova Wildcats Betting Prediction
In the Sweet 16, the Red Raiders beat the No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers, 78-65. The Red Raiders knocked down 17 of their 18 free throws (94.4 percent), while the Boilermakers had a turnover percentage of 21.9 (above their season average of 13.9). Zhaire Smith had a solid performance for Texas Tech, putting up 13 points and five rebounds.
The Wildcats were victorious over the No. 5 West Virginia Mountaineers in the Sweet 16, 90-78. Villanova was effective at getting and making free throws. The Wildcats made 23 of their 27 free throws (85.2 percent), while the Mountaineers were 17-23 (73.9 percent). With 18 points and eight rebounds, Villanova’s Omari Spellman had a solid performance.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Villanova takes on the stingy defense of Texas Tech. The Wildcats rank first in offensive efficiency, while the Red Raiders are 10th in defensive efficiency. Also, the Red Raiders rank 52nd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.278), while the Wildcats rank 45th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.197).
Texas Tech comes into the game with records of 27-9 straight up (SU) and 15-16-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is highly precise when predicting totals of Red Raiders games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Villanova is 33-4 SU and 25-12 ATS. Vegas tends to place the total low when the Wildcats are involved, as 24 of their 32 games have gone over the projected point total.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Villanova Wildcats Betting Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – Villanova, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Villanova ranks seventh in three pointers attempted per game (28.8) while Texas Tech ranks 258th (18.9).
The Red Raiders rank 14th in assists allowed per game (10.3) while the Wildcats rank 187th (13.8).
Villanova averages 4.1 blocks per game, which ranks 71st in the NCAA. Texas Tech ranks 182nd in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
The Wildcats rank 13th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while the Red Raiders rank 120th (6.0).
Texas Tech ranks 34th in rebounds allowed per game (31.9) while Villanova ranks 66th (32.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Red Raiders’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.4, down from 10.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 84.2 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.2 points per game (4.3 below their season average).
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