For the first time since 1971, Drake has won a first-round game in the NCAA Tournament, with the 11-seeded Bulldogs overcoming Missouri in an upset on Thursday night. With 31 wins, they’re having their best season in recent memory under first-year head coach Ben McCollum and his ragtag group of talent.
On the other side, Texas Tech put together a really fantastic season, finishing 2nd in the Big 12 standings before nabbing a 3-seed in this Tourney. While they didn’t finish the job in the Big 12 Tournament last weekend, the Red Raiders took care of business in opening round action against UNC Wilmington and should be a major factor in this region.
How to watch Drake vs. Texas Tech
- Date: Saturday, March 22
· Time: 6:10 p.m. ET
· Venue: INTRUST Bank Arena
· How to Watch (TV): TNT
· Streaming: fubo TV (link: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191260?irad=367782&irmp=374356)
· Drake record: 31-3 (17-3 MVC)
· Texas Tech record: 26-8 (15-5 Big 12)
Drake vs. Texas Tech odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook (link: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/ )
Moneyline
· Drake +240
· Texas Tech -300
Spread
· Drake +7.5 (+240)
· Texas Tech -7.5 (-120)
Total
· 126.5 (over -105/under -115)
Drake injury report
· None
Texas Tech injury report
· Chance McMillian, F, Questionable (Upper body)
· Darrion Williams, F, Probable (Leg)
First time Drake and Texas Tech have faced off
Drake vs. Texas Tech prediction
A special season at Drake got even more special on Thursday night and the play of Bennett Stirtz has been a major reason that the Bulldogs are in this position. Named MVC Player of the Year, Stirtz followed McCollum from Northwest Missouri State and has shown little signs of being a former D2 player. He’s averaging nearly 20 points a game this year and put up 21 points in a phenomenal performance in their win over Missouri.
The Bulldogs shot the ball well in their first contest and will need more of the same against a strong Texas Tech offense that could be closer to full health. The Red Raiders survived a test from 14-seed UNC Wilmington on a night where they shot more 3-pointers than in any game this season, putting up 46 long-distance shots. Fortunately, Texas Tech got 13 points from Darrion Williams who was back in the lineup, but this team might still be without fellow starter Chance McMillan.
This Drake team is very hungry and are playing with nothing to lose, even while outmatched against a very talented Texas Tech offense. The Red Raiders win this game if they don’t get as one-dimensional as against the Seahawks. JT Toppin had a double-double while Kerwin Walton put up 27 points against UNC Wilmington and it’s hard to see Drake having the frontcourt talent to contain their weapons.
Drake has given up 61 points or less in each of their last nine games and are certainly a stronger defense than what Texas Tech has seen. For the Bulldogs to pull a second upset, they won’t just need Stirtz to have another great performance, someone else will have to help carry the load for the Bulldogs. Tavion Banks had 15 points and 9 rebounds off the bench on Thursday and might be the answer, or perhaps it’s something like Mitch Mascari.
After they were significantly challenged in their first game, Texas Tech is certainly susceptible to upset against an even stronger Drake squad, but we’re still leaning in their favor. The Bulldogs need a fast start and to find ways to contain this talented Red Raiders offense while Texas Tech needs to get Toppin even more involved than he was on Thursday. Do you think the MVC champs can find enough to topple another power conference foe?
Prediction: Texas Tech 70, Drake 64