It will be a game of contrasting styles when No. 2 Duke squares off against No. 3 Texas Tech in the West Region’s Sweet 16 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday night.
The Blue Devils are back in the NCAA tournament’s second weekend for the fifth time in the past seven tournaments that have been played (the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), thanks to wins over No. 15 Cal State Fullerton and seventh-seeded Michigan State on Sunday.
Duke, who did not qualify for the tournament in the awkward 2020-21 COVID-altered season, has not reached the Final Four since winning the national championship in 2015.
After rolling No. 14 Montana State, the Red Raiders rallied late against upstart 11th-seeded Notre Dame, scoring 10 of the game’s final 11 points in their 59-53 win in the second round in San Diego. Texas Tech is back in the Sweet 16 for the third time in the past four tournaments.
Duke vs Texas Tech Odds
Duke vs Texas Tech March Madness odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook and are current as of Monday, March 21, at 10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Duke (+100) vs Texas Tech (-120)
- Spread: Duke +1.5 (-110) vs Texas Tech -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 136.5 (-110) / Under 136.5 (-110)
- Implied Score: Texas Tech 69, Duke 67.5
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Duke vs Texas Tech Prediction
Despite its status as basketball royalty and the No. 2 seed in the region, Duke finds itself as a rare underdog in the NCAA tournament.
The Blue Devils, which averaged the eighth-most points per game in the nation (80.1) during the regular season and have averaged 81.5 in their two tournament games, should meet their match in the Red Raiders, who ranked seventh in the country in points against per game (60.2). Texas Tech has allowed just 57.5 points per game in its two tournament wins so far.
Duke has a collection of superstar talent, led by ACC Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and ACC Defensive Player of the Year center Mark Williams, who is a national defensive player of the year finalist.
Plus, the Blue Devils should have an edge in coaching since Mike Krzyzewski, coaching his final tournament in 42 years at Duke, has five career national titles and Red Raiders coach Mark Adams, a veteran assistant, is in his first NCAA tournament run as a Division 1 head coach.
Whichever team can impose its style will win.
Duke vs Texas Tech Score Pick
Duke 77, Texas Tech 71
It’s really hard to bet against the Blue Devils this time of the year. It’s especially hard not to take them as a plus-money underdog, even if that’s just Even, particularly given Krzyzewski’s edge in coaching.
Texas Tech benefited from playing Notre Dame, a team playing its third game in five days over two time zones.
- Want to play a parlay for this March Madness game? Click for our Duke vs Texas Tech Same-Game Parlay.
The Fighting Irish shot just 32 percent and scored just 53 points. Part of that was the Red Raiders’ defense, part of that was fatigue.
Don’t expect Duke, which ranked sixth in the nation in field-goal percentage (.492) to struggle like that. Duke had five players average 10+ points per game and should be able to put up points despite Texas Tech’s aggressive defense.
Duke vs Texas Tech Best Bets
Over 136.5 Total Points (-110) at Caesars
WAGER: 1 Unit
If we believe Duke will win, we think there will be points scored in the game. Plus, for as much gets made of Texas Tech’s defense, its offense scores more than 72 points per game.
No matter who wins, there should be at least 140 points scored, which makes the Over a lock for our CBB bet of the day.
