Texas Tech vs. Butler
12:40 p.m. ET, TruTV
Line: Butler -4 Total: 147.5
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Trends: Butler 21-10 SU, 16-13-2 ATS, 17-14 O/U. Texas Tech 19-12 SU, 15-13 ATS, 15-13 O/U.
KenPom efficiency ratings: Butler 39 (overall), 18 (offense), 130 (defense). Texas Tech 45, 28, 92
Effective FG percentage: Butler 52.5, Texas Tech 49.9 EFG% against: Butler 49.4, Texas Tech 49.3
What to like about Butler — Guards who can handle the ball and make shots. The Bulldogs rank 58th in EFG%, 24th in 3-point percentage and sixth in turnover rate. Against Texas Tech's defense, they should do well.
What's not to like about Butler — The Bulldogs don't have much in the post. They're a little susceptible to getting beat inside and don't block a ton of shots.
What's to like about Texas Tech — There's nothing Texas Tech does exceptionally well, other than make free throws. The offense is balanced and did well enough and a quality schedule to rate fairly high. But there aren't any glaring weaknesses on that end of the floor.
What's not to like about Texas Tech — On defense, Tech can get beat on the glass (299th in opponent's offensive rebounding) and with Tubby Smith's style of defense, the Red Raiders often give up 3-point looks. That could be a problem against Butler.
Pick: From The Linemakers' Micah Roberts: Texas Tech at +4.
More Thursday picks: Kansas-Austin Peay | Wichita-Arizona | Purdue-Arkansas LR
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