Texas Tech vs. Providence Odds
| Texas Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 136.5 -110o / -110u | -165 |
| Providence Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 136.5 -110o / -110u | +140 |
The Texas Tech Red Raiders have proven that the departure of Chris Beard won’t have lasting effects, as they have opened the season winning all six of their games by an average margin of 31 points.
They have scored 84 or more points in each contest, though, the Red Raiders have yet to face an opponent that ranks inside the top 240 in the nation.
That’s set to change as Texas Tech travels to Providence for its first true road test of the season.
Providence is 6-1 on the season and has had a tougher schedule, facing three opponents that rank inside the top 50. The Friars won two of those games — against Wisconsin and Northwestern — with its sole loss coming to Virginia, 58-40.
The Friars are a strong defensive team that sources their offense through fifth-year senior forward Nate Watson, who has averaged 17.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Reproducing those numbers against Texas Tech’s defense will be a monumental challenge.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech moved on from some pivotal pieces off of last year's team, such as Beard, Mac McClung and Kyler Edwards.
Mark Adams takes over the reigns after being Beard’s right-hand man since 2016.
The Red Raiders still bring back three starters in Kevin McCullar, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Santos-Silva, along with an onslaught of transfers.
Through six games, the program has five players who are averaging double-digit points. Shannon is leading the charge, averaging 16.3 points while McCullar is putting up 15.3 per game.
Texas Tech has been adapting to Adams' run-and-gun scheme by averaging 88 points per game. It owns the 22nd-best offensive efficiency ranking, according to KenPom, and has hit 58% of its field goal attempts. The Red Raiders connected on 52-of-135 3-point attempts this season — good for 39%.
The Red Raiders have dominated the offensive glass, extending their possession on 49% of their misses, which ranks first in the nation.
They also own a top-20 defensive rating and have forced opponents to turn the ball over on 29% of their possessions, which ranks fifth nationally. Whether the Red Raiders can continue these impressive stats as the level of competition improves, remains to be seen.
Providence Friars
Ed Cooley returns for his 11th season as head coach of the Friars and has maintained a steady diet of going just above .500 every year. This season looks to be no different than the stereotypical Friars roster that is built on a solid defense and mediocre offense.
The Friars are 6-1 while outscoring opponents by an average margin of 7.4 points per game.
They’re led by Watson, who is averaging 17.7 points per game. The offense is centralized around him, with only two other players averaging double digits, Al Durham and Noah Horchler.
NATE WATSON💪 pic.twitter.com/DSqUPGPoRA
— Providence MBB (@PCFriarsmbb) November 23, 2021
Watson is a monster in the paint who has scored double digits in every game this season, except against Virginia. If he struggles, then the offense struggles, as the Friars only amounted 40 total points in that outing.
Watson will have his hands full against the Texas Tech forwards Davion Warren and Santos-Silva. Both are hyper-athletic big men.
Providence has been strong defending the paint — thanks to Watson — but has struggled defending the 3-point line, allowing opponents to hit 35% of their attempts.
Texas Tech vs. Providence Betting Pick
Providence’s offensive success is reliant on the performance of Watson. If he struggles, the offense is in trouble. He's in store for a monumental challenge on Wednesday night. Texas Tech will rotate Warren and Santos-Silva, who both are defensive stoppers, on him.
Horchler is the second scoring option for the Friars and he went 9-of-10 from the field against Saint Peter's. He won’t be able to get the same clean looks against the ferocious perimeter defense of the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech ranks second nationally with a 17.8 rebounding margin and averages 17 offensive rebounds per game. Texas Tech doesn't turn the ball over and will speed up the tempo against Providence, which would prefer to play a slow-paced game.
This one could get out of hand early, and I anticipate Texas Tech to win handily.
