Pedro Oliveira
In what will be one of the closest and most exciting encounters in all of March Madness, Duke University will face Texas Tech University in the Sweet 16, and both will look to get a place in the Elite 8. The Blue Devils are coming off a rough start against the Michigan State Spartans (85-76) while the Red Raiders picked up a tough win over Notre Dame by a score of 59-53. Who will be the winner who will continue to advance in the NCAA?
Picks and Predictions for the Duke Blue Devils vs Texas Tech Red Raiders NCAA Basketball Championship Sweet 16 Game on March 24
- Where: Chase Center – San Francisco, California
- When: Thursday, March 24, 9:39 PM ET
- Betting Line: Duke Blue Devils (+1) vs Texas Tech Red Raiders (-1)
Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 30-6
- Conference Record: 16-4
- Spread: +1
- Over/Under: Under 137
- Moneyline: -105
Few seemed to believe in Duke University as a serious contender for the competition, but through two games at March Madness they have been clearing the doubts of all those who did not trust the process. Both the defense and offense of the team led by Coach K have been at their best all season, and the performance of Paolo Banchero continues to give something to talk about as the main piece of the offense (19 points, seven rebounds and four assists vs Michigan State).
Against Texas Tech the Blue Devils will have their toughest test against probably the best defense in the entire country, however, they look like a solid defense and an even better elaborate offense so far, and the offensive ability of the Red Raiders did not leave a good image against Notre Dame, which is not one of the most illustrious teams defensively.
Duke has a chance to hit the table and prove they’re not a team that shrinks in the biggest moments, having one of the most talented rosters in all of college basketball. No doubt from now on all his opponents will each be more difficult than the other.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 27-9
- Conference Record: 12-6
- Spread: +1
- Over/Under: Over 137
- Moneyline: –115
On the one hand, the Raiders showed why they are the best defense in the entire NCAA, limiting Notre Dame to just 53 points along with a 32.7% effectiveness from the field and allowing only nine three-pointers in 28 attempts by one of the teams with the best shooting ability at range in all of March Madness.
However, Texas Tech was also exposed as an offense whose ability can be greatly diminished by not having great alternatives on the perimeter and relying too much on its ability to attack the paint. Duke is a completely different team from Notre Dame and they have been defending to the fullest of their potential, along with their offense being much deeper and more dangerous than among almost all the remaining universities in the contest.
Kevin McCullar (14 points) and Bryston Williams (14 points, three rebounds, two steals) had outstanding performances offensively but it was Kevin Obanor who stole the show with 15 points and 15 rebounds, and they’re going to need another dominant performance from him if they want to keep the Blue Devils on the line. The key to Texas Tech’s victory is to vary the offense as much as possible so they can’t stop their production.
JefeBet Prediction
It is a very difficult game to predict, because Duke could return to be the unreliable squad of the end of the regular season who did not withstand the pressure, or they will continue their growth in this March Madness and take the victory, and the ticket to the Elite 8. With the offensive versatility and amount of talent coach K has on his hands, our favorite to advance is the Blue Devils, also because Texas Tech’s offense is too limited at the moment.
