Alabama vs. Texas Tech Odds, Prediction: 2026 NCAA Tournament Picks from Proven Model The second-round matchup in the 2026 NCAA Tournament will feature the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide facing the No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Sunday. Alabama enters the game after a 90-70 victory over Hofstra in the first round, with a 24-9 overall record. Texas Tech secured its spot with a 91-71 win against Akron, posting a 23-10 season record. The game is set for 9:45 p.m. ET at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, marking the final contest of the Midwest Region’s second-round slate. Texas Tech is listed as 1.5-point favorites in the latest odds, a slight shift from Alabama’s initial 1.5-point advantage. The game’s total points are projected at 164.5, the highest among all Sunday second-round matchups, reflecting a 10-point increase over the previous season’s totals. The matchup’s high total suggests a potentially offensive game, with both teams showing strong scoring capabilities in recent contests. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which has demonstrated consistent success in NCAA Tournament predictions, has analyzed the matchup extensively. The model has simulated the game 10,000 times, concluding that the total points will likely exceed the over/under. Additionally, the model identifies one side of the spread as having a greater than 50% chance of success, though the exact outcome remains uncertain. The model’s track record includes a 11-1 performance on over/under picks since last year and a 28-22 record on top-rated college basketball side picks. These results highlight its reliability in predicting tournament outcomes. For fans seeking guidance on betting or game strategy, the model’s insights provide a data-driven approach to navigating the matchup.#alabama_crimson_tide #ncaa_tournament #sportsline #benchmark_international_arena #texas_tech_red_raiders
