Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Michigan Wolverines: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, USA.

When: Thursday, March 28th at 9:39pm EST (subject to change based on FSU-Gonzaga on same court).

How (TV/Radio): CBS; March Madness Live Stream on ncaa.com

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Head Coach: Chris Beard {Overall: 28-6, .823 W-L% | Conference: 14-4, T-1st in Big 12}

The Red Raiders enter this game looking to reach the Elite Eight for a second consecutive season, a feat this program has never achieved. Chris Beard’s team will have to win a defensive battle against a second ranked defensive unit that gives up only 58.2 points per game.

Texas Tech earned their Sweet Sixteen berth after a comfortable 78-58 win over 6th-seeded Buffalo on Sunday. Big 12 Player of the Year, Jarrett Culver had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while graduate center Norense Odiase also had a double-double, scoring 14 points while grabbing 15 boards. The Red Raiders smothered Buffalo on defense, as the Bulls shot just 36.5% from the field.

Michigan Wolverines

Head Coach: John Beilein {Overall: 30-6, .833 W-L% | Conference: 15-5, 3rd in Big Ten}

Michigan’s road to redemption continues as the Wolverines enter their third straight Sweet Sixteen, and fifth overall since coach John Beilein took over the program in 2007. Standing in their way is a Texas Tech program whom Michigan has not faced since 1983 and has never beaten.

The Wolverines reached this stage after taking out Florida 64-49 in the Round of 32 on Saturday in Iowa. Sophomore guard Jordan Poole was the top scorer with 19 points, while sophomore forward Isaiah Livers came off the bench to chip in with 10 points. Michigan leaned on their defense in this win, as they allowed only one Gator to reach double figure scoring.

Texas Tech Roster Notes

Freshman forward Khavon Moore is out for the season with a knee injury that he suffered last year in high school..

Michigan Roster Notes

There are no injuries or roster changes to report for Michigan.

Head-to-Head: Davide Moretti vs Jordan Poole

Davide Moretti

Shooting Guard | 6-2, 175lb (188cm, 79kg) | Treviso Basket | Bologna, Italy | Sophomore

11.5 PPG | 2.2 APG | 2.1 RPG | 1.1 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 1.3 TOV | .498 FG% | .454 3P%

Jordan Poole

Shooting Guard | 6-5, 195lb (196cm, 88kg) | La Lumiere School | Milwaukee, WI | Sophomore

12.9 PPG | 2.1 APG | 2.9 RPG | 1.1 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 1.6 TOV | .435 FG% | .375 3P%

The current trend in all levels of basketball has been increasing use of the three point shot, which has given rise to many long range marksmen. With that being said, two players to focus on in this game are guards who are capable of dialling in from the perimeter on a consistent basis.

Although he has yet to hit a three-pointer in this tournament, Italian guard Davide Moretti has proven to be deadly from downtown. The sophomore’s shot selection is well beyond his years, as he has not attempted more than eight threes in any games this year. Instead of chucking up threes with reckless abandon, Moretti has been looking for high quality shots from outside, which will only help him break his cold spell.

Prior to this season, Jordan Poole was best known for hitting a big three point buzzer beater against Houston in last year’s Round of 32. The Milwaukee native has since grown as a player, as he has doubled his scoring average from his freshman season. His shooting from outside has been a huge boost to Michigan’s offense, as he has seven games with four or more threes made, which includes games against title contenders Purdue and North Carolina against whom he made five threes each.

Texas Tech vs Michigan Predictions and Odds

Oddsmakers are expecting a tight game, as the majority of sportsbooks favour Michigan by 1.5 points. WIth two of the top three defences facing off in this game, the over/under is on the low end at 126.