Arkansas
Texas Tech vs. Arkansas: How to watch Red Raiders’ shot to stop John Calipari’s Razorbacks
Arkansas is one of the tallest and most athletic teams Texas Tech has faced all year, presenting a host of potential challenges. The Red Raiders only have two bigs, so foul trouble is something to keep in mind ahead of Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup.
How to watch No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 10 Arkansas
- What: West Regional, Sweet 16
- Venue: Chase Center — San Francisco
- Time: 10:09 p.m. ET, Thursday
- TV: TBS/truTV
- Streaming: Max, Mad Madness Live app
- Watching in-person? Get tickets on StubHub.
Dive into March Madness with The Athletic
Projecting the bracket | March Madness 2025 | Sweet 16 power rankings
Arkansas’ road to get here was interesting. The Razorbacks were outplayed by Kansas but won, then benefited from playing a St. John’s team that couldn’t make shots.
Fortunately for Arkansas, the Red Raiders haven’t shot the ball well either this tournament, though they showed against Drake that they are a balanced offense led by JT Toppin and Darrion Williams.
Arkansas is 17th in adjusted defensive efficiency, while Texas Tech is fifth in adjusted offensive efficiency, so something has to give.
The Razorbacks are top 150 in defensive turnover percentage, but the Red Raiders have only turned it over 12 times in two tournament games and haven’t turned it over 10 times or more since Feb. 18 against TCU.
Tech will need to make shots to slow down Arkansas’ physical defense to move to the Elite Eight. It would also make sense to continue to let Williams and Elijah Hawkins operate in the pick-and-roll with Toppin.
There are no Cinderella teams left in the field, but 10-seed Arkansas is hot at the right time and looking to keep rolling.
Texas Tech vs. Arkansas odds
Betting/Odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Elijah Hawkins and JT Toppin: Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
Arkansas
Kingston author’s new book debunks Arkansas’ graveyard myths | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Bill Bowden
Bill Bowden covers a variety of news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, primarily in Northwest Arkansas. He has worked at the newspaper for 16 years and previously worked for both the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette.
Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions
The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2) meet Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Arkansas earned its second straight win last Saturday, rolling past the Fresno State Bulldogs 82-58. It covered as a 20-point home favorite, and the Under (160.5) hit. Arkansas controlled the game defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 15% (4-for-26) shooting from 3-point range. G Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 18 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal.
Texas Tech extended its winning streak to 3 games Sunday with an 82-58 win over the LSU Tigers. The Red Raiders covered as 5.5-point home favorites, and the Under (153.5) cashed. Texas Tech locked in defensively, holding LSU to 17% (4-for-24) shooting from 3-point range. G Christian Anderson led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. F LeJuan Watts provided a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) off the bench.
Texas Tech and Arkansas last met March 27 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Red Raiders survived an 85-83 OT win, while Arkansas covered as a 5.5-point underdog. The total pushed past the number, cashing the Over.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Arkansas -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Texas Tech -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions
Prediction
Arkansas 76, Texas Tech 73
BET ARKANSAS (-102).
This is a rematch the Razorbacks haven’t forgotten. They had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Sweet 16 last March before watching it slip away late, and this feels like a clear revenge spot on a neutral floor in Dallas.
What I like most is Arkansas’ backcourt. The Razorbacks are quicker, more dynamic and better equipped to control tempo, especially with Acuff starting to look more comfortable running the offense. When Arkansas is at its best, the ball is in its guards’ hands, pushing pace and creating pressure, and that’s an area where Texas Tech can struggle.
The Razorbacks’ losses this season have come against strong competition, and they were competitive in each one. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has been more uneven. The Red Raiders handled LSU, but they’ve also been blown out and pushed around by other quality opponents.
In a tight, high-energy matchup, I’ll trust the deeper roster, the fresher legs in the backcourt and the team with something to prove. Arkansas is the side for me.
PASS.
No need to play around with the spread when you can get the Razorback at plus odds on the moneyline.
BET UNDER 157.5 (-115).
Texas Tech leans on physical half-court defense, while Arkansas defends cleanly without sending teams to the line and ranks 28th nationally in 3-point defense. The Under has hit in 6 of Texas Tech’s last 7 games and 6 of Arkansas’ last 8, making this a strong trend-based spot.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
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Arkansas
Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Cristina LaRue
Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She started her career as a journalist in 2017, covering business and education for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, later covering the crime and courts beats near the U.S.-Mexico border for the USA Today network, and education for the El Paso Times. She is a graduate of Texas State University.
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