The NCAA Tournament is upon us, and this year promises high stakes as the Texas Tech Red Raiders face off against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in the first round tonight at the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. With the backdrop of March Madness, fans are buzzing with excitement as Texas Tech looks to reclaim its former glory after a string of disappointing tournament appearances.
Texas Tech enters the tournament as a No. 3 seed, sporting a 25-8 overall record and finishing second in the tough Big 12 Conference. The Red Raiders had an impressive end to the regular season, winning four of their last five games, including three straight victories leading up to the conference tournament held the week before.
"With this group, I think there is a real urgency to want to play together as long as we can," Texas Tech’s head coach Grant McCasland said. "They really do love each other. It’s genuine. I think that is a big part of winning and competing this time of year." McCasland acknowledges that a team that works together is more likely to succeed, particularly in the pressure cooker of NCAA Tournament play.
On the opposite end of the court, the UNC Wilmington Seahawks, a No. 14 seed, have entered the championship with a record of 27-7. They’ve caught fire at the right moment, having won six consecutive games, including a sweep in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament, where they secured their automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
Historically, this matchup holds significance as Texas Tech and UNCW meet for only the second time on the hardwood, the previous being 21 years ago. Back in 2002, Texas Tech won that encounter 85-76, marking a solid start in that season under the guidance of the iconic Bob Knight.
While the Seahawks boasted a strong record, a question mark looms over their strength of schedule. UNCW managed to play only one team from a power conference this season, a loss at Kansas by 18 points. Their NET ranking stood at a modest 102nd, with a weakness indicated by their 326th national standing in strength of schedule. This raises doubt about whether they can compete effectively against a powerhouse squad like Texas Tech.
UNC Wilmington is led in scoring by senior guard Donovan Newby, who averages an impressive 14.6 points per game. He’s one of two players on the team scoring in double figures, contributing to a balanced attack that sees seven players averaging at least 7.4 points per game. However, while their offensive skills appear commendable with an average of 79.4 points per game, their defense has shown vulnerabilities, surrendering 69.9 points per game on average, which could be exploited by Texas Tech's potent offense that averages 80.9 points per game.
Looking towards the Red Raiders, they return for their first shot at NCAA Tournament success since 2022, where they reached the Sweet 16. Last season, they were eliminated in the first round by 11-seed NC State. Fans are hopeful this season’s journey will be different. Texas Tech emerged as a force with standout performances from second-team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin, who has averaged double figures for 10 consecutive games and boasts 15 double-doubles. Toppin’s scoring prowess will be vital if the Red Raiders hope to make a deep run this year.
The odds favor Texas Tech significantly, with moneyline odds reflecting a favorites’ stance at -1800 compared to UNC Wilmington’s +920, although sports analysts are cautious. Betting trends suggest a 15-point spread in favor of Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are anticipated to cover this spread due to their robust performance metrics, which also include being ranked seventh nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio and excelling at shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.
The game is set to tip off at 10:10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on truTV, with streaming available through the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV. With buzz surrounding this matchup, viewers are likely fine-tuning their late-night plans to ensure they catch all the action.
As both teams head into this crucial game, the stakes could not be higher for Texas Tech as they seek to avoid a repeat of last year’s early exit and finally secure their position as a competitive force on the national stage. Red Raider fans across the nation will undoubtedly be tuning in, hoping to see their team off to a strong start in the tournament. In an event where anything can happen, it seems fitting that March Madness is just beginning, and both teams are eager to prove their worth on this big stage.
