Blame the Texas Tech Red Raiders (+350 to win the national title) and the Michigan State Spartans (+175) for the lack of No. 1 seeds in the Final Four, as both teams sent two heavyweights out of the tournament in their previous games. Will Texas Tech continue their surge in the Final Four and defeat Michigan State? Or will the Spartans build on their huge win over the Duke Blue Devils and clinch a spot in the national finals?
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Betting Preview for the Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Michigan State Spartans Final Four College Basketball Game on April 6, 2019
Where: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
When: Saturday, April 6, 2019, 8:49 PM ET
Line: Texas Tech Red Raiders (+3.0) vs. Michigan State Spartans (-3.0) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Texas Tech Red Raiders (30-6 Overall / 14-4 Conference)
The Red Raiders slayed a giant in the Elite Eight round, as Jarrett Culver and company knocked out No. 1 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs in a 75-69 win. That Texas Tech held the Bulldogs to just that many points was a true testament to high quality of the Red Raiders’ defense. The Zags shot just 42.4 percent from the field and committed 16 turnovers. It was far from the caliber of offense Gonzaga was showing all season long as the nation’s top scoring team. But that’s the impact the Red Raiders are having on most of their opponents. According to KenPom, the Red Raiders own the best defense in the nation, ranking first in defensive efficiency with just 84.1 points allowed per 100 possessions. Back in the regular season, the Red Raiders surrendered just 59.0 points per contest. Culver, who’s projected to be a lottery pick in this year’s NBA Draft, led the Red Raiders against Gonzaga with 19 points, while Matt Mooney contributed 17 points, five assists, and three steals. How the Red Raiders will slow down Michigan State’s point guard Cassius Winston will largely dictate how things will go for Texas Tech this coming weekend.
The Red Raiders are 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games, and are 16-12-1 ATS after a win, covering 57.1% of the time.
Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (30-6 Overall / 14-4 Conference)
It was the Spartans who stopped Zion Williamson and the Duke Blue Devils, the pre-tournament favorites to win the national title, as Michigan State sent the ACC heavyweights packing their bags for travel back to Durham after a close 68-67 win in the Elite Eight round. Michigan State didn’t just win, but also covered its spread as a 2.5-point underdog. The Spartans relied on their discipline to counter Duke. They turned the ball over just seven times. Conversely, they rattled the Blue Devils, who committed 17 turnovers. Michigan State will have to stay as poised against Texas Tech’s high-pressure defense, but at least the Spartans won’t have to deal with a talent level as high as that of Duke’s group of soon-to-be NBA first rounders. Speaking of talent, Michigan State will be led by spitfire guard Cassius Winston, who scored 20 points and dished out 10 assists to go with four steals in the win over Duke. Winston is averaging 19.0 points and 8.5 assists per game so far in the tournament.
The Spartans are 3-0 ATS in their last three games, and are 23-8 ATS after a win, covering an impressive 74.2% of the time.
Writer’s Prediction
Michigan State wins, 70-68.
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