UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech Prediction, Odds, Key Players to Watch for NCAA Tournament First Round

Reed Wallach | Mar 19, 2025

Mar 13, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward JT Toppin (15) shoots the ball during the first half against the Baylor Bears at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images

Utah State and UCLA meet in first-round NCAA Tournament action with the No. 10 seed Aggies trying to pull a mild upset against the No. 7 seed Bruins in the Midwest Region. 

This is a battle of contrasting styles as UCLA is paced by a stout defense that plays at a prodding pace while Utah State is reliant on its blistering offense that led to a strong first season under head coach Jerrod Calhoun. 

Can Utah State keep up, or will the Bruins elite defense dominate this matchup?

Here’s our betting preview. 

UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• UNC Wilmington: +15.5 (-102)
• Texas Tech: -15.5 (-118)

Moneyline

• UNC Wilmington: +1300
• Texas Tech: -1700

Total: 143.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech How to Watch

• Date: Thursday, March 20th
• Game Time: 10:10 PM EST
• Venue: Intrust Bank Arena
• How to Watch (TV): truTV
• UNC Wilmington Record: 27-7
• Texas Tech Record: 25-8

UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech Key Players to Watch

UNC Wilmington

Harlan Obioha: The seven-footer will be counted on to dictate the paint on both sides for the Seahawks against the elite Texas Tech roster. The junior is a ferocious rim runner while also providing strong rim protection as a shot blocker. On the year, he is only averaging nine points and five rebounds, but his play against JT Toppin will be notable in the paint.

Texas Tech

JT Toppin: The New Mexico transfer has been outstanding for the Red Raiders this season, averaging over 18 points per game with nine rebounds on 54% shooting. An elite defender who can step out and guard along the perimeter, Toppin is one of the most versatile threats in college basketball. 

UNC Wilmington vs. Texas Tech Prediction and Pick

While the Red Raiders were banged up ahead of the Big 12 Tournament semifinals over the weekend, the team is primed to be healthy for the ‘Big Dance’ with both Darrion Williams and Chance McMillan set to play in the first round, making Texas Tech fully healthy. 

The team will face a UNC Wilmington team that can dominate on the inside at times but is likely swimming upstream against the spaced-out Red Raiders offense and elite interior defense that can offset the Seahawks' preferred method of attacking. 

With UNC Wilmington often trying to play out of the post, the Red Raiders' frontcourt duo of Toppin and Fede Federiko should pose enough of a threat to keep the team at bay. 

Meanwhile, look for Texas Tech to run its preferred offense for much of this one. Elijah Hawkins can win off the dribble and open up the likes of McMillan from the perimeter, a 43% three-point shooter, to out-pace the Seahawks. 

I struggle to see the CAA champs keeping up in this one, and I’ll lay the points with the No. 3 seed in the West Region, who I believe is primed for a deep March Madness run. 

PICK: Texas Tech -15.5 (-118, Available at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Create a new FanDuel Sportsbook account, and you can get $150 in bonus bets if you win your first $5 wager. Download the FanDuel app and deposit a minimum of $5 to claim your new-user bonus today.

---

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.