Texas Tech vs. Arkansas Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Mar. 21, 2021

David Schwab
NCAA BK Expert
VegasInsider.com

Texas Tech vs. Arkansas Predictions

Texas Tech has been opened as a slight one-point favorite for Sunday’s Big 12 vs SEC clash. The total line for the 6:10 p.m. (ET) tip on TNT has been set at 140.5 points.

Texas Tech stumbled down the stretch at 3-5 both straight-up and against the spread in its final eight games but quickly found its form on Friday with a 12-point win over Utah State as a four-point favorite.

Battle tested in the Big 12 all season long, it has the overall edge against the SEC’s Razorbacks, who are coming off a 17-point victory against Colgate that was much closer than the final score indicates. Take the Red Raiders to advance to the Sweet 16.

While Arkansas was one of the highest scoring teams in its conference this season (82.4 points), Texas Tech was the top defensive team in the Big 12. Take the UNDER in this one.

• Score Prediction: Texas Tech 71 Arkansas 68
• Best Bets - Side: Texas Tech -1
• Best Bets - Total: 140.5

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Texas Tech vs. Arkansas Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: Texas Tech -1
• Total: 140.5
• Money-Line: Texas Tech -120 Arkansas -100

Odds to Win NCAA Tournament

• Texas Tech 25/1
• Arkansas 35/1

Odds to Win South Region

• Texas Tech 6/1
• Arkansas 6/1

Odds Subject to Change

Second Round Predictions

Sunday's Previews - Mar. 21, 2021 1 vs. 8 1 vs. 9 3 vs. 11 3 vs. 6 2 vs. 10 7 vs. 15 5 vs. 13 4 vs. 12

Handicapping Texas Tech vs. Arkansas

When Texas Tech is at its best, it can stand toe-to-toe with the best teams in the nation. Unfortunately, consistent play has not been one of its strong suits this season. Thursday’s solid win over an underrated opponent is a step in the right direction. The Red Raiders will have to dial up their defense on Sunday to notch another big win.

The Razorbacks were able to wear down Colgate over the course of the second half but they had their hands full in that opening round matchup. As one of the better SEC teams, they are still going to struggle to play their style of ball against a defensive-minded team such as Texas Tech.

• Region: South
• Matchup: 3 vs. 6
• Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse
• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Date: Mar. 21, 2021
• TV-Time: 6:10 p.m. (ET) - TNT

Handicapping Resources: March Madness Central | NCAA Consensus Picks

Betting Stats & Analysis - Texas Tech Red Raiders

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

The Red Raiders are 4-2 both SU and ATS over their last six games. They are 5-1 SU in their last six games against the SEC. They have also covered in four of their last five games as favorites.

The total has stayed UNDER in five of Texas Tech’s last six games. The total has stayed UNDER in three of its last four games played at a neutral site.

Seed: 6
Conference: Big 12
Bid: At-large

• SU: 18-10
• ATS: 10-14
• O/U: 12-16

• Current Form (Last 5): 3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS, 1-4 O/U
• Notable Wins: Oklahoma (x2), Texas (x2), LSU, Utah State

• PS/G: 72.8 (131st)
• PA/G: 63 (24th)
• Off Rtg: 107.6 (72nd)
• Def Rtg: 93.2 (31st)

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Betting Stats & Analysis - Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games. It has won 10 of its last 11 games SU. Against the Big 12, Arkansas has covered in six of the last nine matchups.

The total has stayed UNDER in six of the Razorbacks’ last eight games. It has gone OVER in five of their last six games closing as underdogs. The total has stayed UNDER in their last three neutral-site games.

Seed: 3
Conference: SEC
Bid: At-large

• SU: 23-6
• ATS: 19-9
• O/U: 14-13-1

• Current Form (Last 5): 4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS, 2-3 O/U
• Notable Wins: Oral Roberts, Missouri (x2), Florida, Alabama, Colgate, LSU

• PS/G: 82.5 (7th)
• PA/G: 70.6 (188th)
• Off Rtg: 108.9 (49th)
• Def Rtg: 93.2 (30th)

Key Players to Watch

Guard Mac McClung led the way against Utah State with 16 points while going 6-for-16 from the field. He was 3-for-6 from three-point range. Guard Kyler Edwards was second in scoring with 12 points while adding a team-high six rebounds and four assists.

Forward Justin Smith led all scorers in Friday’s win with 29 points while also pulling down 13 rebounds. Guard Jalen Tate scored 15 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Guard J.D. Notae added 14 points off the bench.

• TT - Mac McClung (15.8 PPG)
• TT - Terrence Shannon (12.6 PPG, 4 RPG)

• ARK - Moses Moody (17.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG)
• ARK - J.D. Notae (13.3 PPG)

2021 March Madness Tournament Team Results

The Red Raiders opened play in this tournament with a 65-53 victory against Utah State in an 11 vs 6 matchup in the South Region. They covered as four-point favorites with the total staying UNDER 129.5 points.

Arkansas closed as an 8.5-point favorite in Friday’s 85-68 victory in its first round matchup in the South. The total stayed UNDER the 161-point closing line. Colgate was the No. 14 seed.

March Madness Records & Trends

Texas Tech Red Raiders

• All-Time Record: 17-18
• Last Appearance: 2019
• Deepest Run: Final Runner-up (2019)

-- Texas Tech has won nine of its last 11 NCAA Tournament games.
-- Texas Tech has reached the Sweet 16 in four of its last eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- Texas Tech has been eliminated by a school seeded No. 1 in three of its last six NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- Texas Tech has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last 11 games.
-- Texas Tech has gone UNDER the point total in six of its last eight games.

Arkansas Razorbacks

• All-Time Record: 43-32
• Last Appearance: 2018
• Deepest Run: Champion (1994)

-- Arkansas has lost nine of its last 13 NCAA Tournament games.
-- Arkansas has been eliminated by an ACC school in three of its last four NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- Arkansas has covered the spread in nine of its last 11 games.
-- Arkansas has scored 70 points or more in 10 straight games.
-- Arkansas has gone UNDER the point total in six of its last eight games.

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