The No. 14 Northern Kentucky Norse (26-8), 13-point underdogs, challenge the No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (26-6) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Bank of Oklahoma Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 137 points and action gets underway at 1:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 22, 2019.
Northern Kentucky Norse vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Red Raiders fell to the West Virginia Mountaineers, 79-74, while the Norse defeated the Wright State Raiders, 77-66.
Northern Kentucky’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Wright State. The Norse had a rate of 0.614 (above their season average of 0.555), while the Raiders posted a mark of 0.438 (below their season average of 0.508). Texas Tech, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.509 vs. 0.440). Jarrett Culver played well for Texas Tech, recording 26 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. Northern Kentucky was lifted by Dantez Walton, who contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Norse games have no tendency in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Northern Kentucky is 26-8 straight up (SU), but they are just 12-19-1 against the spread (ATS).
Just over half of Red Raiders games have finished under the total. Moreover, Texas Tech owns records of 26-6 SU and 15-16-1 ATS.
The Norse’s Jalen Tate has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 18 points,5.4 assists,1.8 steals per game. Meanwhile, Jarrett Culver has averaged 21 points,5.8 rebounds,3.6 assists,1.8 steals during that same time frame for the Red Raiders.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the productive offense of Northern Kentucky (22nd in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 113.8) takes on the elite defense of Texas Tech (first in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 87.9).
Northern Kentucky vs. Texas Tech Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Texas Tech, ATS Winner – Northern Kentucky, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Northern Kentucky ranks 87th in three pointers attempted per game (24.2) while Texas Tech ranks 259th (19.7).
- The Red Raiders rank 57th in steals per game (7.4) while the Norse rank 94th in steals allowed per game (5.9).
- Texas Tech is 45th in the nation with 32.1 rebounds allowed per game while Northern Kentucky is 54th with 32.6 rebounds allowed per game.
- The Red Raiders average 4.9 blocks per game, which ranks 15th in the NCAA. The Norse rank 166th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
- Northern Kentucky ranks 10th in assists per game (17.1) while Texas Tech ranks 102nd (14.0).
Bettings Trends:
- The Norse’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.4, down from 10.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Red Raiders have scored an average of 77.8 points per game (4.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 69.8 points per game (10.5 above their season average).
