Texas Tech vs. NC State Odds, Picks, and Predictions

• The N.C. State Wolfpack strung together five wins in five days to run the table for an ACC Tournament championship

• Texas Tech finished fourth in a competitive Big 12 conference but dropped its conference tournament semifinal game to the top-ranked Houston Cougars

• D.J. Horne posted 29 points in the ACC Tournament championship game on 9-for-15 shooting from the field, but numerous other Wolfpack players stepped up during their five-game marathon

Despite entering the 2024 ACC Tournament as the No. 10 seed, the N.C. State Wolfpack found a way to secure five wins in five consecutive days for one of the most memorable conference championship runs in college basketball history. 

The previous record for the lowest-seeded team to win the ACC Tournament was set in 2022, when the Virginia Tech Hokies, a No. 7 seed, charged through the conference tournament gauntlet for a conference title. However, the Wolfpack’s miraculous run now makes them the most unlikely ACC Tournament winner ever.

But can the Wolfpack carry their red-hot play from the ACC Tournament into the NCAA Tournament? Let’s get into this matchup between the #6 Texas Tech Red Raiders and #11 N.C. State Wolfpack below!

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Texas Tech vs. N.C. State Prediction and Odds 

The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter this matchup against a dangerous N.C. State Wolfpack team as five-point favorites. Texas Tech has Moneyline odds of -218 to pull out the win outright and move on to the Round of 32, while the Wolfpack are +180 underdogs to win their sixth consecutive game in a tournament setting. The point total for this matchup hangs at 145.5 points, with the Over (-112) holding a slight advantage over the Under (-108). 

Texas Tech

Texas Tech’s bread and butter this season has been its offense, led by Pop Isaacs, Joe Toussaint, Darrion Williams, Kerwin Walton, and Chance McMillan. The Red Raiders rank 38th in three-point percentage, knocking down 36.5% of their attempts behind sharpshooters Walton and McMillan.

Texas Tech had also won four consecutive games, including bouts against BYU and Baylor, before dropping its Big 12 Tournament semifinal game against the top-ranked Houston Cougars. However, the Red Raiders were without Williams in that matchup due to a lower leg injury. So far, the dialogue surrounding Williams’ status for this game seems good, which is crucial for this team to have any shot at making an NCAA Tournament run due to his rebounding prowess and floor-stretching ability.

Another consideration is the health of big man Warren Washington, who has primarily missed the past five weeks of the season, except for a 13-minute outing on February 24th against UCF. He was not at 100% in that matchup. Washington has supposedly begun to practice, and his mere presence would be monumentally huge for the Red Raiders because of his size, rebounding ability, and ability to match up against the Wolfpack’s D.J. Burns Jr.

N.C. State

It was only a little more than one week ago that it would have been nearly impossible for the N.C. State Wolfpack to make the 2024 NCAA Tournament, but after a miraculous ACC Tournament run, they are in the field of 64. The Wolfpack’s hopes for the Big Dance were seemingly dashed by a four-game losing streak at the end of the regular season. They had dropped ten of their past 14 games heading into the conference tournament.

However, the Wolfpack rallied around one another and accomplished the inconceivable. D.J. Horne had a fantastic outing in the ACC Tournament championship, posting 29 points on efficient shooting, but the supporting cast helped carry the weight on both ends of the floor. D.J. Burns Jr., Casey Morsell, Michael O’Connell, and Mohamed Diarra elevated their play to new heights. Now, this team could be a tricky “out.”

In their past five games, N.C. State has shot just shy of 49% from the field while holding opponents to just 43.6% shooting overall and 33% from deep. The Wolfpack have also done a fantastic job of defending without fouling, recording fewer than 13 fouls per game in that stretch. 

Further, N.C. State has been really strong in protecting the ball (16th in turnovers per game) throughout the season, which makes it an especially tough team to beat when its shots are falling like they have recently. The major question for the Wolfpack entering this game is whether or not they can keep that offensive momentum going, as they have proven a willingness to defend in these high-stakes games.

Texas Tech vs N.C. State Pick

• PICK: N.C. State Wolfpack +5 (-110) odds on DraftKings.

Ultimately, we don’t feel comfortable laying down a bet on this game until we know the exact status of Williams and Washington. Williams seems to be on the right track to play, which will help against the Wolfpack, but the Red Raiders still wouldn’t have anyone who could adequately defend 6-foot-9, 275-pound bruiser D.J. Burns Jr.

If Williams plays but Washington is still sidelined, we will back the N.C. State Wolfpack at +5 (-110) on DraftKings. However, if Washington plays, we might have to re-evaluate our play, as he would be a formidable defender on Burns, who boasts a high offensive usage rate for the Wolfpack.

Texas Tech vs. N.C. State How to Watch

• Teams: Texas Tech vs. N.C. State

• Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: Thursday, March 21 at 9:40 PM ET

• TV: Paramount+, Fubo, March Madness Live

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