Texas Tech (27-9) vs Duke (30-6)
When: Thursday, March 24th 2022
Where: Chase Center,
San Francisco, CA
Time: 9:39 ET | TV: CBS
Opening Odds: Duke -1/137
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The Texas Tech Red Raiders will look to end Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s career when the teams meet Thursday night in the West Regional semifinals in San Francisco. The Sweet 16 is nothing new to the Blue Devils program, who have reached this round 28 times. Coach K is also seeking his 100th NCAA Tournament victory. He is also two victories away from reaching his 13th Final Four. Duke took care of Cal State Fullerton in the first round, but had their hands full with Michigan State in the second. The Blue Devils used a late run to not only win the game, but cover the 6-point spread as well. These schools last played in December 2018 (their only meeting) and Duke won 69-58 at a neutral site.
The Red Raiders have had a nice run in the Big Dance the last few years and are in the Sweet 16 for the fifth time – three since 2018. They are also an impressive 11-3 over the last four NCAA Tournaments. Texas Tech routed Montana State in the opening round, then had to rally late to knock off Notre Dame last weekend. The Red Raiders closed the game on a 10-1 run over the final 1:56. The line for this game opened with Duke as a 1-point favorite and a total of 137, but money has been put on Tech and they are now 1-point favorites. Texas Tech is just 2-6 ATS over their last eight games. The winner will play either Arkansas or Gonzaga on Sunday.
Texas Tech thrived this season under former assistant Mark Adams, who replaced the popular Chris Beard in the offseason. Adams has been named a finalist for the 2022 Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year Award and has already claimed Big 12 Coach of the Year. Defense has been the key all season and was on full display in the 59-53 win over Notre Dame. The Irish were held to 32.7 percent shooting, but the Red Raiders will need to improve on their 35.6 percent. On the season, Tech is holding foes to only 60.2 points per game this season, 38.2 percent shooting and forcing 15.9 turnovers per game. Kevin Obanor led the team vs. Notre Dame by recording a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Bryson Williams and Kevin McCullar both scored 14 points.
Coach Krzyzewski won his final Hall of Fame matchup with Tom Izzo last Sunday, but the Spartans led by five points with about five minutes left. Star freshman Paolo Banchero, who is likely a top pick in this summer’s NBA Draft, scored 19 points and had the go-ahead basket with 2:05 left. Banchero is the fourth Duke player with back-to-back NCAA Tournament games with at least 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Blue Devils are now 15-3 this season away from home. Freshman AJ Griffin suffered a lower leg injury with eight minutes to play Sunday and didn’t return. Griffin averages 10.3 points and 3.8 rebounds and is questionable for Thursday. Duke, which is fourth nationally with 120.3 points per 100 possessions, has seen the total hit the Over in eight of its last 10 games. The Blue Devils average 80.3 points per game on the season.
I love defense when it comes to big games like this and Texas Tech has the advantage. The Red Raiders frustrate opponents and they will do the same to Duke. I’m predicting this will be Krzyzewski’s last game.
Pick: Texas Tech -1
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