One of the first-round fixtures of the 2024 NCAA tournament to watch out for is the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the NC State Wolfpack. Scheduled to be held on Thursday night, the No. 6 seed will lock horns with the No. 11 seed in the south region at the PPG Paints Arena. With a second-round place on the line, both teams know exactly what they need to do to get a win. Will it be the Red Raiders or the Wolfpack to win the day?
Texas Tech Red Raiders
After receiving an at-large bid, the Texas Tech Red Raiders (23-10, 11-7 Big 12) will play the NC State Wolfpack in the first round of the 2024 NCAA tournament. After their performances in the regular and postseason tournaments, they enter this encounter as the No.6 seed in the south region. Despite tying with the Baylor Bears to finish third in the Big 12 Conference, Head Coach Grant McCasland must be applauded for returning the team to March Madness in his first season. The last time the Red Raiders were in this competition was in 2022 when they reached the Sweet Sixteen. In the 2023 season, they couldn’t make the tournament after finishing in the bottom two. They are back with their first challenge, being the No.11 seed Wolfpack. Coming into this tie, they recorded three straight victories in the final lap of the regular season, allowing them to begin the postseason tournament in the quarterfinals. They beat the BYU Cougars in their first game and were defeated in the semi-finals against table-topper Houston Cougars. We expect them to return to winning ways against the Wolfpack.
NC State Wolfpack
Not so many would have predicted a 2024 NCAA tournament appearance for the Wolfpack after a disappointing season that saw them finish 10th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. After losing four straight games towards the end of the regular season, the Wolfpack entered the postseason tournament a different team from their previous performances. They won all five games in five days, beating the Louisville Cardinals, the Syracuse Orange, the Duke Blue Devils, the Virginia Cavaliers, and the North Carolina Tar Heels to secure a ticket to the 2024 NCAA tournament. The victory was a turning point for the Wolfpack. With this turn of events, the two-time NCAA champions will confidently enter the game against the Red Raiders as they continue to prove that they are a formidable side capable of beating any team.
Head-to-Head Red Raiders vs Wolfpack
The Red Raiders and the Wolfpack have yet to meet in recent times. Their last encounter was in the 1950s when the Red Raiders won in 1951 before the Wolfpack’s victories in 1952 and 1954. While times have changed since then, you can expect a tight upcoming game, considering the teams’ recent performances. The game will be available for betting alongside other NCAA basketball betting lines & picks on the night. Doing your research for each event is essential to make informed predictions.
Red Raiders vs Wolfpack Predictions
The Red Raiders are the favorite team in this contest. They have been able to beat some big names like the Baylor Bears, the Kansas Jayhawks, and the BYU Cougars on their way into this tournament. They also have the best NCAA tournament record in recent seasons between these two teams, finishing as runner-up in 2019. On the other hand, the Wolfpack have shown that they cannot be pushed aside, beating the Blue Devils and 6-time Champions, the Tar Heels, to make the 2024 edition of the NCAA tournament.
Our findings show that the Red Raiders averaged 75.6 points, 35 rebounds, and 14.7 assists per game, while the Wolfpack averaged 76.4 points, 35 rebounds, and 12.8 assists per game. Nevertheless, the Red Raiders are favorites, but nothing is guaranteed in sports, and the underdogs can always pull a surprise. Hence, we advise the bettors to wager on this game only for entertainment.
Players To Look Out For
The Wolfpack will rely on DJ Horne and DJ Burns Jr., just like in the postseason game against the North Carolina Tar Heels. These two players recorded the most points per game in the team this season, 16.9 and 12.4, respectively. They will also require the services of Mohamed Diarra, who has the most rebounds and blocks, and Michael O’Connell, who has the most assists, to earn a victory over their opponent on Thursday night.
The Red Raiders also boast some exciting players to look out for. They will rely on Pop Isaacs, who averages 15.9 points per game, to lead the team to victory. Darrion Williams will also be a vital addition after missing the previous game against the Houston Cougars due to an ankle injury. The Red Raiders Guard has the most rebounds and averages 11.4 points per game. Another important player in the squad is Joe Toussaint, who has the most assists and steals per game for the team.
All odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly 18+
