Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders College Basketball prediction, preview (Saturday 12pm ET)
This should be a fun re-match from last season’s Sweet Sixteen, and we get it on a neutral floor (Dallas) with these teams ranked side by side in the AP Poll. Arkansas had Texas Tech beat back in March, with a big lead in the second half, and the clock winding down. But the Red Raiders got some improbable plays to push the game to overtime, where they ultimately pulled out the victory.
On Saturday afternoon, John Calipari and the Hogs will get a crack at revenge. Arkansas has been solid to start the season, with a big win as home underdogs over Louisville last week. The Razorbacks defeats even seem solid on paper, losing by three on the road at Michigan State, and by nine points to Duke (but covered as double digit dogs).
Texas Tech finally put it all together for the first time against decent competition on Sunday, destroying LSU by 24 points. However, that was the first time things came easy for the Red Raiders against quality competition. Tech lost to Purdue by 30 points as just a three-point underdog, and also lost to Illinois by four in a game it was down double digits much of the way. The Red Raiders also squeaked out a win over Wake Forest by a point in a game it was a double digit favorite.
I love JT Toppin as a player, but beyond him, I question the rest of Texas Tech’s roster in big games. Arkansas is deep, talented and motivated, and I lean the Razorbacks way in this one with revenge on their minds.
