NCAAB
Andrew Rogers
March 23, 2019

Oddsmakers respect Texas Tech’s defence against Buffalo

The Red Raiders are modest favourites for Sunday’s Round of 32 game against the Bulls at the NCAA Tournament, but this game could easily go either way based on how both teams fared in their openers. Texas Tech stifled Northern Kentucky in a 72-57 win, while Buffalo trounced Arizona State 91-74. Check out the complete March Madness odds for Texas Tech (3) vs. Buffalo (6).

Texas Tech’s defence battles Buffalo’s offence

Texas Tech is seen as the superior team in the first-ever meeting between the programs – but there isn’t much separating the sides, with the Red Raiders boasting the third-best scoring defence in Division I (59.2 points per game against) and the Bulls ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (85.1). Buffalo has covered three of its past four following a streak of four straight non-covers, while Texas Tech is a sizzling 9-2 ATS in its previous 11 games.

How much do oddsmakers respect that Buffalo attack? The total of 146 is the highest for a Red Raiders game since its Dec. 20 loss to the Duke Blue Devils. And there should be plenty of interest in the over, with Texas Tech having gone a red-hot 6-2 O/U in its past eight games thanks mostly to an offence that has surpassed 80 points five times in that span. But Buffalo is a shocking 7-2 to the under in nine games this season with a total below 150.

Jarrett Culver and Texas Tech take on big-scoring Buffalo

The Red Raiders have the formula for making a long run in the tournament – and their two most prominent weapons were on display Friday. The Texas Tech defence limited the Norse to 37.1 percent shooting and a 5-for-22 success rate from 3-point range, while team scoring leader Jarrett Culver was one of the most efficient players in the entire Round of 64 with 29 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on 10-of-17 shooting.

When the Bulls’ offence operates as it did against the Sun Devils, there are few teams that can keep up. The Bulls shot an impressive 51.7 percent from the floor against the play-in winners, overcoming a mediocre 10-for-27 performance from beyond the arc while connecting on 19 of 26 free-throw attempts. Scoring balance is one of Buffalo’s strongest assets, and it was in full force Friday with four players scoring at least 13 points in the win.