Drake vs. Texas Tech March Madness Preview and Prediction
In the No. 11 vs. No. 3 matchup in the NCAA Tournament West Region, the Drake Bulldogs face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in second-round action.
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How to Watch Drake vs. Texas Tech
When: 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 22nd
Where: INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas
Watch: TNT
Odds for Drake vs. Texas Tech
(odds current at time of publish)
Spread: Texas Tech -8.5 (-105), Drake +8.5 (-115)
Total: Over 126.5 (-110), Under 126.5 (-110)
DraftKings Betting Splits | Live College Basketball Odds | Drake vs. Texas Tech Matchup Page
Drake vs. Texas Tech Preview & Prediction
Drake was a very popular bet against Missouri in the opening round, and the Bulldogs were able to win outright as 6-point underdogs. It was a very impressive win for Ben McCollum’s team, and Bennett Stirtz emerged as the first breakout star of March Madness. Meanwhile, Texas Tech was on legitimate Upset Watch in a close win over UNC Wilmington. The Red Raiders ended up winning 82-72, but the game was closer than the final score indicated. With that in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is another game in which the public hammers Drake. But I caution you that a team is never as good or as bad as its last performance. So, if you would have liked Texas Tech to cover an 8.5-point spread against Drake before the opening round, you should be willing to go to it here.
The harsh reality for the Bulldogs is that there isn’t much they do at a higher level than the Red Raiders. This season, Texas Tech is seventh in adjusted offensive efficiency and 32nd in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to Bart Torvik. Drake is 71st in adjusted offensive efficiency and 37th in adjusted defensive efficiency. That’s interesting because the Bulldogs, who play at a snail’s pace and rank dead last in college basketball in adjusted tempo, were able to muck up the game and frustrate Missouri in the first round. The Bulldogs were the better defensive team in that game, and Stirtz was the best guard on the floor. But Texas Tech also likes to play slow, is a bit better than Drake defensively and also happens to have the much better collective group of shot-makers. Tech also shoots the hell out of the 3-ball, which isn’t as big of a part of the Drake offense. The Bulldogs do more around the basket, but the Red Raiders should be ready to defend that.
Also, whereas Stirtz was the best player on the floor against Missouri in the first round, that won’t be the case against the Red Raiders. That will be JT Toppin, who is a double-double threat and changes games with his athleticism. Texas Tech also happens to have multiple guards that can out-shine Stirtz, and Darrion Williams is another good forward that gives the Red Raiders a dimension the Bulldogs can’t even come close to matching.
Texas Tech might just be able to out-talent Drake in this game, and that actually does a disservice to how well-coached the Red Raiders are. This team plays good basketball on both ends of the floor, and that isn’t surprising considering Grand McCasland wins everywhere. Google him.
McCollum is the talk of college basketball right now, as he arguably did better with Drake than new Indiana coach Darian DeVries did. Now, McCollum is a guy that is popping up with every new opening. But McCasland should be able to do a good job in the preparation battle here, and that’s if McCollum isn’t distracted by some of the offers that might be coming his way. However, that’s something you have to worry about even more now, as postseason success is only going to make him more attractive to big programs.
All in all, it’s probably just wise to throw out what we saw in the opening round. I know that’s very difficult to do in March, especially with so many people watching college basketball for the first time all year. Some strong opinions are being formed now. But Texas Tech is one of the best teams in college basketball, and the team is probably due for a bounce-back performance. The Red Raiders are also going to get healthier as this tournament progresses, as they have had guys in and out of the lineup lately.
Estimated Score: Texas Tech 67, Drake 61
For expert predictions, go to our college basketball best bets page.
