UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech March Madness Preview and Prediction
In the No. 14 vs. No. 3 matchup in the NCAA Tournament West Region, the UNC Wilmington Seahawks face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in first-round action.
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How to Watch UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech
When: 10:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 20th
Where: INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas
Watch: truTV
Odds for UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech
(odds current at time of publish)
Spread: Texas Tech -15.5 (-110), UNC Wilmington +15.5 (-110)
Total: Over 142.5 (-110), Under 142.5 (-110)
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UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech Preview & Prediction
UNCW has been a consistent presence under head coach Takayo Siddle, but the challenge of competing in a one-bid league like the CAA means there’s no room for error. After years of being on the verge, the Seahawks finally broke through this season, winning the conference tournament and earning their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2017. The Seahawks have a history of being competitive in the tournament, with several close losses to top teams like Maryland, Duke, and Virginia over the years. While they’ve never been able to pull off a tournament win, their ability to challenge these high-level opponents bodes well for their future.
This season, UNCW brings a balanced team to the Big Dance. They’re well-coached to adapt to a variety of playing styles after facing a range of teams in the CAA, from fast-paced squads to those with a more deliberate approach. Their strength lies in getting to the free-throw line and crashing the offensive boards, but they struggle with shooting the 3 and defending it. Their 3P% ranks in the 210s, and they’re similarly poor at defending them. Despite these flaws, their ability to defend the interior has kept them competitive, though their lack of a strong strength of schedule leaves questions about their readiness for the high-level competition they’ll face in the tournament. Unfortunately, their first-round opponent, Texas Tech, is a formidable challenge, and while UNCW has the potential to surprise, it’s hard to see them pulling off the upset against such a well-rounded and talented team.
Texas Tech enters the tournament as a consensus top-10 team, despite a non-conference schedule that left some questioning their mettle early on. Head coach Grant McCasland took a while to find his footing in Year 2 in Lubbock, but now the Red Raiders are one of the most efficient teams in the country. Their offense is anchored by a potent 3-point game that ranks in the top 20 in 3P% and a low TO% which helped them rank second in adjusted offensive efficiency in Big 12 play. While they don’t attack the rim as much as other teams, they make up for it with their efficiency in mid-range shots.
Defensively, Texas Tech excels across the board, particularly in defending the 3-point line, where they ranked first in the Big 12 and hold opponents to just 29.6%. They’ve already beaten elite competition this season, though that label doesn’t apply to the Seahawks.
UNCW may give them a competitive game, but the Red Raiders are simply too talented on both ends of the floor to be upset in this first-round matchup. Texas Tech’s strong defense and ability to hit timely shots make them a dangerous team, and a potential Elite Eight appearance feels like a realistic goal for this squad.
Estimated Score: Texas Tech 78, UNC Wilmington 62
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