Kyler Edwards' Red Raiders are favorites in the Texas Tech vs Arkansas odds.

Texas Tech, Arkansas Hope to Build on Strong Second-Half Performances

The sixth-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders (18-10) and third-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks (23-6) both pulled away in the second half of their first-round NCAA Tournament games to cover the spread easily Friday. The Red Raiders will try to cover again as small favorites Sunday vs the Razorbacks in this second-round South Region matchup. Texas Tech is looking for its third straight Sweet 16 appearance.

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Arkansas Razorbacks
  • Date/Time: March 21, 6:10 p.m. ET
  • Arena: Hinkle Fieldhouse
  • TV Coverage: TNT
  • Sportsbook Odds: Texas Tech -1 | O/U 141 (Line History)
  • Texas Tech vs Arkansas Matchup Report

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

There has been some early support for Arkansas in this spot as an underdog, moving the line down to a pick’em at some sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. It would not be surprising to see that type of movement continue considering the Razorbacks are the higher seed and had a better season overall.

The defense of the Red Raiders could pose some problems, though, which might be one reason why the total has dipped down to 140.5. Against a much tougher opponent, Arkansas cannot afford to play like it did Friday.

Texas Tech News & Notes

Texas Tech trailed the 11th-seeded Utah State Aggies 26-23 at halftime of their first-round matchup, and it appeared that head coach Chris Beard’s bunch might be headed toward a third consecutive loss. Instead, whatever Beard told his players at the intermission paid off, as they woke up quickly and dominated the Aggies in a 65-53 victory.

The Red Raiders rallied to beat the number as 4-point favorites behind 16 points from Mac McClung while Kyler Edwards had 12 along with six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Beard is as good as any coach in the country right now, which is why Texas Tech is favored again here despite playing a higher-seeded Arkansas team.

Arkansas News & Notes

The Razorbacks looked like they might be in even bigger trouble than the Red Raiders during their Sportsbook 20 minutes vs the 14th-seeded Colgate Raiders. But Arkansas finally found its groove toward the end of the first half after trailing 33-19 with 5:30 remaining.

The Razorbacks ended the half on an impressive 17-0 run and got 29 points and 13 rebounds from Justin Smith en route to an 85-68 rout to cover as 8.5-point favorites. The question is, would Arkansas have been able to come back against a much more talented team like Texas Tech?

Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman will have his work cut out for him trying to figure out how to match wits opposite Beard in this one.

Betting Pick: Arkansas +1

Musselman may not be as good a coach as Beard, but he moved on to Arkansas from Nevada so he could recruit better players and compete in a better conference. The Razorbacks have the talent to get to the Final Four, especially now that the second-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes got knocked out. The Red Raiders are a fundamentally sound, well-coached team, no doubt. But Arkansas is better and will move on in this spot.

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Shark Bites
  • Arkansas is 10-1 SU and 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games.
  • The UNDER is 6-2 in Arkansas’ last 8 games.
  • The UNDER is 5-1 in Texas Tech’s last 6 games.
Arkansas is 10-1 SU and 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games.home The UNDER is 6-2 in Arkansas’ last 8 games.home The UNDER is 5-1 in Texas Tech’s last 6 games.away
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