Texas Tech Red Raiders, the No. 9 team in the nation, are becoming the underdogs to keep an eye on as they navigate through the NCAA Tournament. With current odds of 30 to 1 to win the national championship, they aren't getting as much attention as some of the big names like Duke, Auburn, and Florida. Nevertheless, momentum is building as they prepare for their first match-up against the Baylor Bears. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and Texas Tech is favored by 6.5 points.
Following impressive performances leading up to the tournament, the Red Raiders are seen by some as potential dark horses this March. They managed to overcome injury struggles earlier this season and ended the regular season strong with three consecutive victories, including notable wins against Kansas and Arizona State. Coach Grant McCasland's team has shown plenty of promise with their offense, averaging 84.7 points over their last three games.
Baylor, the seventh seed, just came off of a solid performance against Kansas State, winning 70-56 on March 12, led by standout players VJ Edgecombe with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Jayden Nunn, who scored 18 points.
Despite their recent victory, Baylor has had difficulty competing against the elite teams of the Big 12, failing to secure any wins against the top five teams this year. They were winless against these top-tier teams and struggled significantly to cover the spread as underdogs.
Texas Tech's performance this season has built strong expectations, particularly after their previous meeting with Baylor, where they dominated with a final score of 73-59 on February 4 as 7.5-point favorites. Most analysts agree this match will likely replicate previous outcomes, leaning heavily toward the Red Raiders maintaining their strong form.
The odds for the game reflect this narrative. Currently, the moneyline stands at Texas Tech -295 and Baylor +230. With the spread set at 6.5 points, sports betting experts anticipate the Red Raiders will cover, especially considering Baylor's struggle to compete with top-caliber teams. Nine of Texas Tech's last twelve victories have come by more than 6 points, indicating their ability to secure significant margins against opponents.
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This upcoming face-off is expected to revolve around Texas Tech’s superior offense against Baylor’s inconsistent defensive capabilities. The Saturday victory by the Red Raiders against Arizona State included standout performances from JT Toppin, who scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The pressure is on Baylor as they seek to prove they can finally achieve success against tougher competition. With their notable struggles as underdogs this season—recording 0-7 against the spread—Baylor must find their rhythm if they hope to overcome the odds.
For fans and bettors alike, the anticipation builds, knowing it's do-or-die time for teams chasing championship glory. With Texas Tech's momentum, they look to continue their march toward tournament success, proving their worth against teams like Baylor, who haven't quite met expectations this season.
The match against Baylor marks the continuation of Texas Tech’s quest for success, aiming to capitalize on their pre-tournament momentum as they head toward what they hope will be continued victories through the NCAA Tournament.