Akron Zips vs Texas Tech Red Raiders – College Basketball Preview – Mar 20, 2026
The Akron Zips are set to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This game is part of the Midwest Region and will take place at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. Fans can catch the action on truT at 12:40 PM ET on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Akron, seeded 12th, had an impressive regular season with an overall record of 29-5 and a 20-1 record in the Mid-American Conference. The 5th seed Texas Tech finished their regular season with a 22-10 record, going 12-7 in the Big 12 Conference. Both teams aim to advance past the first round and continue their postseason journey.
Akron Zips Team Preview
The Akron Zips have been strong this season with a 29-5 overall record. They excel offensively, averaging 88.4 points per game. Their field goal percentage stands at 50.3, ranking them among the top in the nation.
In recent games, the Zips secured wins over Toledo, Kent State, and Buffalo. Amani Lyles has been a key player, grabbing 16 rebounds in two of the last three games. Tavari Johnson scored 25 points against Buffalo, showcasing his scoring ability.
As a team, Akron attempts a high number of three-pointers per game, making 10.9 on average. They are also effective at sharing the ball, with 18.4 assists per game. While their offense is strong, they rank lower in steals and blocks per game.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Preview
The Texas Tech Red Raiders hold an overall record of 22-10 this season. Their conference record stands at 12-7 in the Big 12. They are currently ranked #20 in the AP rankings.
In recent games, the Red Raiders faced tough opponents. They lost to Iowa State by 22 points and had close games against BYU and TCU. Key players like Christian Anderson and Donovan Atwell have been contributing significant points, but the team needs more consistency to improve their record.
The team’s stats show strong offensive capabilities with an average of 80.4 points per game. They excel in three-point shooting, ranking 14th in made threes per game. However, they need improvement in free-throw shooting and defensive metrics to better their performance.
Betting Prediction
The over/under for this game is set at 155.5. Both Akron and Texas Tech have strong offensive stats. Akron averages 88.4 points per game, while Texas Tech scores 80.4 points per game.
Akron ranks 9th in points per game and has a high field goal percentage of 50.3%. They also make nearly 11 three-pointers per game. This shows their ability to score effectively.
Texas Tech is also efficient, with a 39.3% three-point shooting percentage. They rank 14th in three-pointers made per game. Both teams’ offensive numbers suggest a high-scoring game.
- Pick: Over 155.5
