Last spring in just his second year on the job Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard did what many considered impossible. Beard put his Red Raiders in the Elite Eight of March Madness. Overall Texas Tech finished 27-10 for the 2017-18 season which was among the best in their history. However, with that performance has come much higher expectations with the college basketball betting line. So far, the Red Raiders have met expectations on the hardwood. But newfound public awareness is driving down their value. Meanwhile the Duke Blue Devils always have high expectations and public betting attention.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Duke Blue Devils
Date and Time: Thursday, December 20, 2018, 7 p.m. Eastern
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click Here!
Red Raiders vs. Blue Devils TV Coverage: ESPN2
Duke Blue Devils
Late on Duke has improved as a value with the college basketball betting line. The Blue Devils have covered the spread in three of their last four games. And have gone over the total in just one of their last nine outings. Overall Duke is 9-1 straight up, 6-4 against the spread, and 2-7-1 under the total. Specifically, the Blue Devils only loss was to then top-rated Gonzaga 87-89. Owing to their full court game does Duke look like potential Final Four material. To show they boast national rankings of fifth for scoring offense and 59th for points allowed.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Undefeated Texas Tech has not been able to maintain consistent NCAA basketball wagering value. Despite a 10-0 straight up record the Red Raiders are 5-5 vs. the odds with a 3-6 mark under the total. Tech has paid out in just one of their last four games. Six of the Red Raiders last nine games have gone under the total. In the same way as top contenders Texas Tech boasts an elite defense. In fact, the Red Raiders are the top ranked team for fewest points allowed in the country. Offensively TTU ranks 117th in the nation for scoring.
Important Names on Court
Jarrett Culver provides most of the Texas Tech offense with 19.1 points per game. Of great concern is the Red Raiders lack of secondary scoring. Duke is led by RJ Barrett’s 24 points per game. Zion Williamson provides added support with 20.4 points per outing.
Team vs. Team
Texas Tech has been in the red as a road team on the college hoops betting board. For example, the Red Raiders have paid in just four of their last 12 games away from home. Four of their last six away games have gone over the total. Balanced against that is Duke’s profitability away from Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils have covered five of their last eight away games. Four of their last six away from home have cleared the total.
Matchup to Watch
Certainly, Duke’s deeper offensive lineup is a matchup edge with the college basketball betting line. As was previously noted Texas Tech does not bring home the bacon away from home. Further Duke is a proven play on the hardwood away from home.
Red Raiders vs. Blue Devils NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
In sum Duke rates the call.
Red Raiders vs. Blue Devils NCAA Betting Online Pick: Duke Blue Devils
Red Raiders vs. Blue Devils NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Duke 81, Texas Tech 71
Catch highlights of Duke’s recent win over Yale!