Akron Zips vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/20/2026

Game Time: 12:40 pm ET, Friday, March 20, 2026

Venue:  Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL 

Where to Watch:  truTV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Akron +7.5, TTU -7.5; Over/Under:  156.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Akron +7.5, TTU -7.5; Over/Under:  156.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Akron +7.5, TTU -7.5; Over/Under:  156.5 points

Akron Zips:  29-5 (17-1) (2nd place, MAC)

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  22-10 (12-6) (4th place, Big 12)

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Akron Zips:  5-0  last 5

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  2-3  last 5

Akron is entering this game with a 29-5 record overall, a 17-1 record in conference games, and they are 5-2 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Toledo Rockets in their last game. Amani Lyles and Tavari Johnson each led the team in points in that game with 15 while Bowen Hardman and Shammah Scott each were next on the team with 12. Tavari Johnson led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Amani Lyles led the team in rebounds with 16. They were 46.5% from the field, 29.4% from 3-point range, and 33.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 88.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 73.5 PPG against them. Akron has an ATS record of 17-15 this season and their O/U record is 14-17-1.

Texas Tech is entering this game with a 22-10 record overall, a 12-6 conference record, and they are 3-3 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Iowa State Cyclones in their last game. LeJuan Watts led the team in points in that game with 12 while Christian Anderson was next on the team with 10. Jaylen Petty led the team in assists with 4 in that game while LeJuan Watts led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 33.9% from the field, 31% from 3-point range, and 60% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 80.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 72.6 PPG against them. Texas Tech has an ATS record of 16-16 this season and their O/U record is 14-18.

The current betting odds have Akron listed as a 7.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Akron has looked really good in their games this season with their 29-5 record overall and their 17-1 conference record which had them right near the top of the MAC. They have looked great in these neutral site games too with their 5-2 record in these. Meanwhile, Texas Tech has looked really good in their games this season with their 22-10 record overall and their 12-6 conference record which had them in the top half of the Big 12. They haven't looked great in these neutral site games though, going 3-3. Texas Tech has had a great season and even looked like they could be the best team in the Big 12 at one point, but injuries have really derailed their season and they haven't looked good lately. They were kicked out of the Big 12 Tournament with a loss to Iowa State and they are 2-3 in their last 5 games now. They had a little surge when they lost Toppin, but that surge has faded now and reality is starting to settle in for them. Akron is no easy task either as they have been rolling in their games lately. Akron didn't have the best record in the MAC this year and they didn't go undefeated in the regular season like Miami-Ohio, but Akron won the MAC Tournament to earn this bid and they looked like the clear best team in the MAC at times. Akron has been rolling lately with a ton of momentum on their side from 10 wins in a row now and they play a style that can keep up with this Texas Tech team. The best way to place a bet here is on Akron to cover the spread in this game. 

Akron Texas Tech Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, March 20, 2026 (12:40 pm ET start time) is Texas Tech 82 Akron 78.

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Akron Zips: 12-6 ATS versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting 18 free throws/game or less. 7-4 ATS in non-conference games. 6-3 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 20-9 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%).

Texas Tech Red Raiders: 3-11 ATS as a neutral court favorite or pick. 4-13 ATS in all tournament games. 17-23 ATS in non-conference games. 8-4 UNDER versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game.

Akron Zips:  None.

Texas Tech Red Raiders:  J. Toppin (F) Out - Knee. L. Hoover (F) Out - Redshirt.

"Unbelievable. I thought back when they put both the names of the teams on [the bracket]. Of course, we both were younger [during the times I thought about]. I had a lot more hair then. But just even like coaching his AAU team or working him out or shooting in the backyard [flashed through my mind]. I'm proud of what he's built there, and they have a very, very good team.” - John Groce on his team making the NCAA Tournament as a 12 seed. 

“First of all, it’s an expectation here that we’re playing in the NCAA Tournament, and not only you get a chance to play in it, but that you win and make a run. This team’s in a unique situation. These 5-12 games are always dangerous any way you look at it. And I specifically think that Akron’s got a team that didn’t matter what 5 they were playing, I think they would be a heavy pick to win the game. Everybody loves to pick this one, and we understand the responsibility that we have, not only just to our team but to the Big 12.” - Grant McCasland on his team making the NCAA Tournament as a 5 seed. 

Z. Halligan 

T. Johnson 

A. Lyles 

E. Mahaffey 

S. Young

C. Anderson 

D. Atwell 

J. Petty 

J. Toppin 

L. Watts

PPG: Tavari Johnson (20.1)

APG: Tavari Johnson (5)

Reb/G: Amani Lyles (8)

PPG: JT Toppin (21.8)

APG: Christian Anderson (7.6)

Reb/G: JT Toppin (10.8)

Coaches:

Akron Zips: John Groce (9th season)

Texas Tech Red Raiders: Grant McCasland (3rd season)