March Madness Round 1: NC State vs Texas Tech Odds & Score
Decent Match-Up Between Teams Who Play Over the Total
NC State vs Texas Tech Final Score
NC State vs Texas Tech Preview
North Carolina State (22-14) squares off against Texas Tech (23-10) in a first-round South Region game on Thursday. The Wolfpack entered the ACC conference tournament on the outside looking in. Upsets over Duke and North Carolina helped propel the Wolfpack to the tournament title and the conference’s automatic bid.
The Red Raiders lost to Houston in the second round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, but did enough to receive an at-large big and the No. 6 seed in the South. The NC State vs Texas Tech odds have the Red Raiders favored by five points, and the total on the game is 144.5.
Wolfpack vs Red Raiders 
Day/Time:
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Streaming: CBS
NC State Gets Hot When it Matters
The Wolfpack stumbled down the stretch of the ACC regular season, losing their last four college basketball games. Things turned around quickly, as NC State went 5-0 to cut down the nets.
Two of those regular season losses came against Duke and the Tar Heels, but NC State got quick revenge. The Wolfpack were underdogs in each of the last four conference tournament games.
For the season, NC State is just 17-18-1 ATS but is now 9-6 as an underdog and 6-3 on neutral court games. The Wolfpack are 20-14-2 in totals on the season.
NC State isn’t a great shooting team, but the Wolfpack keep turnovers to a minimum. The Wolfpack are average on the offensive glass and shoot more 2-pointers than an average team. NC State is slightly better than average from 3-point range, hitting 34.7%.
The Wolfpack play at an average pace and will run if the opportunity presents itself, but won’t really try to dictate a quick tempo.
The NC State defense is fair. The season numbers look much better than the conference numbers due to a weak non-conference slate. The Wolfpack allowed too many offensive rebounds and have had trouble stopping the 3-pointer.
Texas Tech Slows it Down
The Red Raiders can shoot the ball, but like to slow the pace down. As a result, the NCAAB scores show Texas Tech is averaging 75.6 points per game. Texas Tech is strong from 3-point range, connecting on 36.5% of its long-range shots.
The Red Raiders are strong from the line and the 2-point shooting isn’t bad. This college basketball team does a good job protecting the ball, but doesn’t get a lot of offensive rebounds.
The Red Raiders are a good defensive team. Texas Tech allows 42.8% from the field and 32.1% on 3-pointers. The Red Raiders do allow too many offensive rebounds and don’t block many shots. The 2-point defense is on the average side.
The Red Raiders are just 15-17-1 against the spread this NCAAB season and a break-even 11-10 as a favorite. Texas Tech is 19-14 in totals on the year, including 6-0 when playing with five or six days rest. The Red Raiders are 14-10 in totals when the number is 145 or lower.
We’re dancing 🕺🪩#TTW pic.twitter.com/YT1lQ1AQvq
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 17, 2024
What to Expect
This isn’t a bad game on the NCAA March Madness schedule. Texas Tech is a better team, but the Wolfpack are playing better now. This game will probably dash some people’s hopes of a perfect March Madness bracket.
The Red Raiders will come out and look to slow the tempo and rely on outside shooting and defense. NC State may not want to play into Texas Tech’s hands and look to move the ball up the court quicker than normal. The Wolfpack can’t afford to let the Red Raiders get open looks at 3-pointers in a half-court game.
Who to Bet On?
The NC State vs Texas Tech odds of Red Raiders -5 puts a little value on the Wolfpack. It’s a little bit hard to pull the trigger on NC State, however, as you have to wonder how much is left in the tank. Beating the Blue Davis and Tar Heels both in three days is bound to take something out of a team.
How NC State handles the 3-point shooting of Texas Tech could be a deciding factor in the outcome. The Wolfpack can also look to take advantage of Texas Tech’s 2-point defense. One of the two defenses will have to step it up or hope the other team goes cold from the field.
The NC State vs Texas Tech odds on the total are a little bit interesting. Each team’s offensive strength is the weak point of the opposing defense. The tempo of the Red Raiders could also come into play. Texas Tech is going to take its time offensively and look for the open shot.
Strictly from a value standpoint, the over 144.5 is an easier case to make than for the under 144.5. So take the over 144.5 in this one.
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