John E. Moore III/Getty Images. Pictured: Kyler Edwards (left) and Mac McClung (right).
#6 Texas Tech vs. #11 Utah St. Odds
| Projected Spread | USC -3 | |
| Projected Total | 125.88 | |
| Projected ML | -144 | |
| Time | TBA | |
| TV | TBA | |
| Projected odds based on our initial PRO Projections. Odds will be added once they’re released. | ||
How Texas Tech & Utah St. Match Up
| Texas Tech | vs. | Utah St. |
| 316 | Tempo | 154 |
| 187 | eFG% | 180 |
| 45 | TO% | 208 |
| 30 | OR% | 16 |
| 19 | FTR | 230 |
| 69 | DeFG% | 15 |
| 8 | DTO% | 117 |
| 254 | DR% | 5 |
| 286 | DFTR | 47 |
| All stats via KenPom. | ||
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What To Know About Texas Tech
Chris Beard has made Texas Tech a perennial contender in March, and this season is no different. Despite the double-digit losses, the Red Raiders rank 22nd in KenPom’s efficiency rankings while controlling the game at the nation’s 316th-ranked tempo.
Tech is led offensively by Georgetown transfer Mac McClung, who is averaging 15.7 points per game on high-volume shooting. Bettors will have been frustrated by the Red Raiders’ 10-17 mark against the spread, and they lost four of their last seven regular-season games.
Texas Tech has proven, though, that it is a force to be reckoned with in March. Beard is a master in-game adjuster and his no-middle defense could give certain teams fits. Tech has its coach’s personality. It will battle relentlessly for 40 minutes and get on the floor for everything.
The perimeter defense is a major question mark, as well as the offense when they aren’t getting to the line or grabbing an offensive board. — Matt Trebby
What To Know About Utah St.
When talking Utah State, you have to start with 7-foot center Neemias Queta, a high-major caliber player who will play at the next level. He provides Utah State with one of the fiercest interior defenses in the country.
You’re just not going to get anything at the rim against the Aggies. For the season, opponents are shooting only 48.3% at the rim. Only St. Peters and UC Irvine (two other elite interior defenders) have been better. Unless Queta gets in foul trouble, you’re going to have to beat the Aggies from the perimeter. Utah State is also one of the best rebounding teams in the country on both ends of the floor.
It’s inexperienced at point guard with two freshman but has some interesting wing pieces and is dangerous when Brock Miller is hot from the outside. Queta gives Utah State a chance on both ends for a very well-coached team. — Stuckey