Akron Zips vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Picks and Predictions for Friday, March 20, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Akron Zips will be in Tampa, FL, on Friday afternoon for a 12:40 PM first-round matchup against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and we have you ready to roll with our Akron vs Texas Tech prediction. Akron finished the regular season with 29 wins and five losses. Texas Tech comes into the big dance with 22 wins and 10 losses this season. The Zips are on fire coming into the NCAA tournament, riding a long winning streak after a three-point victory against Toledo in their last outing. Texas Tech limps into this matchup riding a three-game skid, following a 22-point loss to Iowa State. Read more about this Milwaukee vs Orlando prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Akron looks to extend winning streak
The Akron offense has carried the team this season, averaging 88.4 points on 50% shoot from the floor. Defensively, the Zips are allowing 73.5 points per game this season and have given him an average of 66.6 points per game over their last five wins. Offensively, Akron did the work in their last outing, scoring 79 points on 46% shooting from the floor and knocking down 10 triples. Defensively, Akron did just enough, giving up 76 points on 50% shooting. The zips won the rebounding battle by 5 and forced 11 turnovers to seal the victory.
Tavari Johnson leads the Akron offense this season with 20.1 points and five assists per game. Amani Lyles is second on the team with 14.6 points, and the team leads with 8 rebounds per contest. Shammah Scott averages 12.7 points, and Evan Mahaffey averaged 10.2 points per game this season.
Key Injury Report for Akron:
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- None
Texas Tech tries to avoid a collapse
The Texas Tech offense has been the team’s strength this season, averaging 80.4 points on 47% shooting from the floor, but the Red Raiders have averaged only 64.6 points per game during their current three-game losing streak. Defensively, Texas Tech is allowing 72.6 points per game this season and an average of 76.6 points per game over its last three losses. Defensively, Texas Tech was obliterated in its last outing, giving up 75 points on 54% shooting from the floor. Offensively, Texas Tech was unable to sustain its scoring, finishing with just 53 points, including only 20 in the second half, on 34% shooting and 31% from beyond the arc. Texas Tech lost the rebounding battle by 10 and turned the ball over 10 times in the game. Lejuan Watts led the way for the Texas Tech offense in their last outing with 12 points and 7 rebounds from 12 shots.
JT Toppin leads the Texas Tech offense this season with 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Christian Anderson is second on the roster, averaging 18.9 points to go along with the team-leading 7.6 assists. Donovan Atwell averaged 13.5 points, and Lejuan Watts is averaging 11.5 points per game this season.
Key Injury Report for Texas Tech:
- JT Toppin (Out) – Knee
- LaTrell Hoover (Out) - Redshirt
Akron vs Texas Tech Pick
- Akron vs Texas Tech Spread Pick
Akron comes into this game red-hot and will continue to succeed in this matchup. Texas Tech will be short-handed but will still have the edge in this game. Period: look for Akron to come out hot, but Texas Tech will weather the storm and lead to the victory. Take the Red Raiders Friday afternoon to get the win and cover in Tampa to advance into the weekend.
- Akron vs Texas Tech Over/Under Pick
Both teams score extremely well, but each defends at a high level. Texas Tech has struggled on offense lately, but it will weather the storm in this game. Look for the Red Raiders to overpower Akron in this matchup, as the Zips will struggle for 40 minutes. Take Texas Tech Friday to get the win and cover, but the number will go under the total as the Red Raiders control this game.
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