The Akron Zips and the Texas Tech Red Raiders meet Friday in NCAA Tournament First Round college basketball action from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. Here’s a Texas Tech vs. Akron prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Texas Tech vs. Akron pick.
Akron Zips Betting Preview
Back in early January, the Zips were sitting at 10-4 overall through 14 outings. Akron beat Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Ball State, Western Michigan, Buffalo, Ohio, Toledo, Kent State and Eastern Michigan from there before a loss to Troy. Since then it’s been wins over UMass, Western Michigan, Ball State, Buffalo, Kent State, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, Buffalo, Kent State and Toledo.
In the MAC Tournament championship game versus Toledo last Saturday, the Zips were in trouble as they came back out onto the floor in the second half with a 42-30 deficit. Akron hit a 49-34 run the rest of the way, however, powering out the comeback 79-76. Both Amani Lyles (16 rebounds; two assists) and Tavari Johnson (two rebounds; five assists) posted 15 points apiece to lead the way.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Preview
Over on the Texas Tech side, they managed to go a pretty solid 16-4 over their first 20 games and then lost to UCF and Kansas in the next pair. Wins came versus West Virginia, Colorado, Arizona, Kansas State, Cincinnati and Iowa State in the next seven (with a loss to Arizona State) before losses to TCU and BYU. The Raiders fell to Iowa State in their first conference tournament matchup.
In the Big 12 Tournament game versus Iowa State last Thursday, the Red Raiders were sitting in the locker room with a 36-33 deficit. Texas Tech didn’t end up getting any closer than that on a 39-20 deficit and lost the game 75-53 in the end. Leading the team in scoring was LeJuan Watts with 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Christian Anderson added 10 points with three assists.
Why the Texas Tech Red Raiders will win
- Texas Tech has won 14 of its last 15 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Akron has lost nine of its last 12 games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Texas Tech has won the first half in 14 of its last 15 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Akron Zips will win
- Akron has won each of its last 10 games.
- Texas Tech has lost each of its last four March games as an AP-ranked team.
- Akron has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Texas Tech’s last seven day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue has produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
- Each of Akron’s last five games has produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Texas Tech ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game this season (11.6).
- Texas Tech ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.3).
- Akron ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (32.4).
- Akron ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (19.0).
Texas Tech vs Akron Prediction
I’ll lean toward Texas Tech. The Raiders could use a good showing here after a rough game against a great Iowa State squad in their latest appearance. In that one, Texas Tech shot just 33.9 percent from the field with 53.6 percent shooting surrendered on defense. The Raiders were outrebounded 33-27 and had a 42-18 deficit on points in the paint. Texas Tech is 0-3 in their last trio with fewer than 66 points scored in two of those—and 73 or more points surrendered in all three.
As for Akron, they shot 46.5 percent from the field in their win over Toledo but did give up 50 percent on defense. The Zips scored 16 points off 10 Rockets turnovers (which was very important) and had a 42-30 edge in the paint. Akron is cruising right now on 10 straight wins. Still, Texas Tech will be a tough customer if the Raiders play well.