Texas Tech (5) vs. Alabama (4) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Second Round Odds
It is a showdown in the Midwest Region at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, with the winner earning a berth in the Sweet 16.
This marks the ninth meeting between these two programs; Alabama holds a dominant 7-1 record in the head-to-head series. They have not faced each other since the 2013-14 season, when the Crimson Tide rolled 76-64 at home.
Texas Tech vs. Alabama NCAA Tournament Round 2 Point Spread and Betting
On the March Madness odds board, Texas Tech is a +1.5 underdog on Saturday, while an outright upset is priced at -105. Alabama is a -114 favourite on the money line. As for the game total, it is set at 164.5 points.
Recent trends are in favor of the Crimson Tide, who are a decent 4-2 against the spread in their last six games. The Red Raiders are 1-3 ATS in their last four overall. Meanwhile, the Under is 3-1 in Texas Tech’s last four contests; however, the Over is 3-1 in Alabama’s last four. Both teams covered and cashed the Over in their opening round game.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Akron was a trendy upset pick in round one of the Big Dance, but Texas Tech made sure that such a pick did not work out well for people’s brackets. The Red Raiders rolled over Akron 91-71, pulling away in the second half to win in relatively comfortable fashion. Five different team members scored in double figures, led by Jaylen Petty’s 24 points.
Why did a lot of college basketball fans have a lot of faith in Akron and not much in Texas Tech? Well, the Red Raiders are without JT Toppin after their leading scorer suffered a torn ACL in mid-February. Toppin was averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game at the time. Without its star forward on the floor, head coach Grant McCasland’s team goes just seven deep. Only five guys scored more than two points on Thursday.
Alabama Crimson Tide
It’s no secret what Alabama is all about: scoring, scoring, and more scoring. The Crimson Tide leads the entire nation in points per game at 91.7. Six different players are averaging in double-figures, led by Labaron Philon Jr. at 21.7 PPG and followed by Aden Holloway at 16.8 PPG. However, they are without Holloway for the foreseeable future.
Head coach Nate Oats’ squad was up to its usual tricks in round one, pinning 90 points on Hofstra. It was by no means a cakewalk, however. Hofstra led by 10 points in the first half before ‘Bama started taking control early in the second. Still, the Pride was within five points as less than seven minutes remained in the game. Philon scored 29 points in addition to eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
March Madness Prediction: Who Will Win Texas Tech vs. Alabama ?
It will be fascinating to see how Sunday’s contest transpires from a stylistic standpoint. Alabama, as always, wants to play fast. The Tide is No. 5 nationally in pace of play at 77.1 possessions per game. Texas Tech will try to slow things down and turn this into a half-court battle. The Red Raiders are outside the top 225 in pace of play this season, and they allow a modest 72.6 points per game.
It feels like Texas Tech will have a hard time keeping up with Philon and company when it does not have the services of Toppin. If the Crimson Tide can control the tempo, they should be able to wear down an undermanned opponent in the latter stages of the game. Let’s go with Alabama 86, Texas Tech 81.