🏀 Akron vs. Texas Tech Prediction & Parlay Today: Round 1 March Madness Odds, Expert Picks

No. 12 Akron aims to extend its 10-game winning streak in today's Round 1 March Madness game against No. 5 Texas Tech, which tips off at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., at 12:40 p.m. ET (truTV).

While Akron's run has been impressive, I expect it to end against Texas Tech, the 7.5-point betting favorite. Along with backing the Red Raiders, My Akron vs. Texas Tech prediction, part of the March Madness predictions, features a Bowen Hardman player prop. 

🏀 Akron vs. Texas Tech picks & odds: March Madness First Round

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 4.45 units | Max profit: 4.85 units

🏆 Who will win Akron vs. Texas Tech?

See the latest March Madness odds for every team in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

I'm backing Texas Tech to win by double digits, projecting a 10-point margin. Akron's defense ranks among the weaker units in the field and is unlikely to keep up with the Red Raiders' ability to score consistently in this matchup.

Score prediction: Texas Tech 84, Akron 74

💰 Akron vs. Texas Tech prediction & best bet

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions for March Madness.

Over 155.5 (-115)

I like the points. Texas Tech ranks 12th in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency and faces one of 20 teams in the field with an adjusted defensive efficiency below 100th.

Akron (113th in DRtg) allows 35.1% to its opponents on 3-point attempts (253rd) and plays at a pace (32nd in adjusted tempo) that should speed up the Red Raiders, leading one of the nation's best offenses to have ample possessions to do damage.

Meanwhile, Akron can contribute to the total with its 10.9 made 3-pointers per game (10th). These offenses combine to average 167.3 PPG this season.

🔥 Best Akron vs. Texas Tech player prop bet

Our March Madness betting trends break down which coaches have been the most profitable in the NCAA Tournament.

Bowen Hardman 3+ made 3-pointers (+185)

While Akron's deficiencies in defending the three will ultimately be its undoing in the game margin, this is a group that will go down swinging with what it does best: jacking up 3-pointers. Akron's 10.9 made 3-pointers per game rank 10th in the nation, and senior guard Bowen Hardman has come on strong to lead the charge in recent weeks.

Hardman shoots 40.7% from three on the year and has knocked down three or more triples in four of his past five games during March, going 18-33 (54.5%) from 3-point range this month.

Though Texas Tech allows just 31.4% on opposing 3-point attempts, this game script should see Akron looking to shoot its way back into the contest, leading to a script for Hardman to see ample volume to chase down this prop.

Our best March Madness player props today also feature Hardman. 

🚑 Texas Tech injury status: Will JT Toppin play? 

JT Toppin suffered suffered a torn ACL Feb. 17, and he won't feature at March Madness. 

Toppin averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game on 54.8% shooting, and he arguably represents the biggest loss for any team at the NCAA Tournament. 

🚀 Akron vs. Texas Tech same-game parlay

Because the player prop markets are limited for this game, we have to play this SGP at bet365, where we're getting lesser lines on the spread and total. If you want to bet it without the player prop, do so at another book. We like the inclusion of Hardman's 3-point prop, though, as a contrarian play against our Texas Tech spread bet, which juices up the parlay odds tremendously.

💵 My betting record for college basketball

All college basketball picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 9.

💡 How I'm betting Akron vs. Texas Tech: March Madness strategy

I pick my spots carefully when choosing whether to beef up a bet, but I'm allocating 2.0 units on the Over in this spot. Akron's outside shooting prowess coupled with its deficiencies on defense should get it there for us.

We like the game flow to include Texas Tech scoring at will, which leads to Akron's key deep shooters trying to bomb their way back into the game. We're betting one unit on our spread bet and player prop bet for this matchup.

📊 Live Akron vs. Texas Tech odds: March Madness First Round

Texas Tech opened at -7.5 and has moved in a couple of spots to -8. I could see additional movement toward the Red Raiders given the disparity in pedigree between these teams. We've seen a small dip on the total from 156.5 to 155.5 at FanDuel, while the line has held serve at some of the best sports betting sites.

🔢 Akron vs. Texas Tech odds movement 

• 68% of bets back Akron to cover as the 7.5-point betting underdog
• The 7.5-point betting line hasn't changed since opening
• The total has also remained stable at 156 or 156.5

📈 Akron vs. Texas Tech betting trends

📺 How to watch Akron vs. Texas Tech: March Madness First Round

• Date: Friday, March 20
• Tipoff: 12:40 p.m. ET
• Location: Benchmark International Arena (Tampa, Fla.)
• TV: truTV
• Streaming: March Madness Live

🏀 More March Madness predictions

First-round matchups & previews

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Second-round matchups & previews

Here is the second-round March Madness schedule, and our betting preview: