Texas Tech opens as a slight fave over Duke, according to the best March Madness betting sites. The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Duke Blue Devils clash on Thursday in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 from Chase Center.
Texas Tech has a 27-9 overall record this year. The Raiders defeated Notre Dame on Sunday. Duke currently is 30-6. They are coming off a win against Michigan State in their Second Round matchup.
According to the best online sportsbooks, the No. 3-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders are 5-3 SU and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games as they enter their West Region showdown with the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils.
It’s a surprise to see a popular team like Duke open as a one-point underdog as the higher seed, but the best betting sites appear to agree with the line. They bumped Texas Tech up to a 1.5-point fave. The total in this matchup has stayed the same since it opened at 137 points. The UNDER is 4-2 in Texas Tech’s past six games.
2022 Sweet 16 Texas Tech vs. Duke Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech | -1 ( -110 ) | 137 ( -110 ) | -117 |  |
| Duke | +1 ( -110 ) | 137 ( -110 ) | -103 | |
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Betting Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders defense overwhelmed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a 59-53 win in the Round of 32. Kevin Obanor led the Red Raiders with 15 points, seven offensive rebounds, and eight defensive rebounds.
Texas Tech improved to 4-1 SU in its last five games but dropped to 2-3 ATS in that stretch after they fail to cover the spread as an eight-point favorite on the best betting sites. The defense has been driving Texas Tech all season.
The squad ranks seventh in scoring defense. They allow just 60.2 points per game. The Red Raiders have been even stingier in March with 56.2 points per game allowed in six games.
Virginia Tech flustered Duke in the ACC championship game and won 82-67. Texas Tech will do likewise and try to force Duke out of its comfort zone on offense.
Betting Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils displayed some mental fortitude in their 85-76 win over the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday. After they gave up an eight-point lead and fell down five points with only five minutes remaining in the game, Duke went on a 20-6 rally to get the victory.
Four different Duke players scored at least 15 points. Paolo Banchero’s 19 points led the pack. If the Blue Devils close as the underdog, it will be just the second time that happens this season. Duke won SU in its one other game as a dog, an 84-81 win over Gonzaga when the Bulldogs were 8.5-point chalk. The Blue Devils are 10-6 SU and 10-5-1 ATS in their past 16 games as an underdog.
Duke’s offense has been hit and misses this season, but the Blue Devils nonetheless finished in the top 10 in scoring with 80.3 points per game. They were an offensive powerhouse more often than not. This challenge against Texas Tech’s top defense will reveal just how good this Duke team is.
Texas Tech vs. Duke Blue Devils Pick
We’re probably going to take a chance on Duke here. The Blue Devils have boasted an elite pace for most of the season. Even in their losses, they tend to score well. Duke had their second-lowest total of the season in the Virginia Tech loss with 67 points. They had previously scored 66 in a loss to Ohio State.
The team has rebounded since. The Raiders soldiered on for a 42-36 win over Notre Dame. Texas Tech will give Duke a run for their money, but we don’t think they’ll run out of steam in this one.
