The No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (26-9) clash against the No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers (30-6) in the Sweet Sixteen at TD Garden. The game is scheduled to begin at 9:57 p.m. ET on Friday, March 23, 2018.
Purdue is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 137.5 points.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Purdue Boilermakers Free Prediction
The Red Raiders will be looking for a similar result after narrowly defeating the No. 6 Florida Gators in the Second Round, 69-66. Texas Tech’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Florida. The Red Raiders had a rate of 10.4 (better than their season average of 15.9), while the Gators posted a mark of 13.6. Texas Tech was lifted by Zhaire Smith, who put up 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
In the Second Round, the Boilermakers won a close one over the No. 10 Butler Bulldogs, 76-73. The Boilermakers had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 36.7 (above their season average of 27.8) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.606 (above their season average of 0.578). Vincent Edwards was Purdue’s leading scorer with 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Purdue ranks fifth in offensive efficiency and Texas Tech is 10th in defensive efficiency. Also, the Red Raiders are among the nation’s elite at getting to the line, ranking 53rd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.277). The Boilermakers, meanwhile, rank fifth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.163).
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Purdue Boilermakers Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Purdue, ATS Winner – Purdue, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Purdue ranks 24th in blocks per game (4.9) while Texas Tech ranks 180th in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
The Boilermakers rank 119th in three pointers attempted per game (22.8) while the Red Raiders rank 256th (19.0).
Purdue ranks 35th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while Texas Tech ranks 116th (6.0).
The Boilermakers rank 24th in assists per game (16.4) while the Red Raiders rank 101st (14.5).
Texas Tech is 34th in the nation with 31.9 rebounds allowed per game while Purdue is 49th with 32.4 rebounds allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Red Raiders’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.6, down from 10.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Boilermakers have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (5.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.2 points per game (2.8 above their season average).
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