Florida vs. Texas Tech Prediction, Odds & Preview Today: March Madness Elite Eight Best Bets
No. 3 seed Texas Tech (28-8) pulled off an incredible comeback win on Thursday, but it'll need potentially another miracle today in a tough matchup against No. 1 seed Florida (33-4). This NCAA Tournament Elite Eight showdown tips off from Chase Center in San Francisco at 6:09 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV).
The Gators are 7.5-point betting favorites to win the final game of the West Region, but I'm backing the underdog to cover in our Florida vs. Texas Tech prediction, odds, and preview as part of our March Madness predictions.
🏀 Florida vs. Texas Tech prediction & picks for today's Elite Eight
Here are my best Florida vs. Texas Tech predictions for the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament; use our parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay:
✅ Against the spread pick: Texas Tech +7 (-110 via Caesars) vs. Florida ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 Best player prop bet: Christian Anderson Over 10.5 points (-118 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎯 Exact score prediction: Florida 86, Texas Tech 82 (+20000 via DraftKings)
👉 Want more picks? Check out our latest college basketball picks and the rest of our March Madness Elite Eight predictions.
Florida vs. Texas Tech betting insights
- Bettors at BetMGM have made their feelings known when it comes to this spread, as 91% of the betting handle is on Florida to cover as the favorite
- As for the total, we've also seen a ton of money at BetMGM on the Over, with 84% of the tickets and 83% of the handle
- As a result, Florida serves as a -7.5 betting favorite ahead of tipoff after opening at -6.5
🏆 Best Florida vs. Texas Tech pick, player prop bet & score prediction
Our NEW college basketball player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds for any March Madness market across legal sportsbooks in your area!
✅ Texas Tech to cover the spread: +7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Last round, I was higher on Texas Tech than the market and lower on Florida. Although the games didn’t play out exactly like I thought they would, Maryland’s head-coaching debacle might explain some of the Terrapins' underperformance, and Texas Tech’s improbable comeback softened the blow of it failing to cover.
All of this is to say that I don’t see much of a reason to adjust my priors. We’re backing the Red Raiders to cover in this spot not in spite of their performance against Arkansas but because of it.
Freshman Christian Anderson, who hadn’t scored in double-figures all tournament despite playing almost every minute, finally got over the hump with a 22-point game on 50% shooting from the field. He picked up the slack as Darrion Williams struggled with a dreadful 30.8% from the field - his worst showing on 30-plus minutes all year.
While I don’t think Texas Tech pulls off the upset, the Red Raiders have an offense capable of keeping up with Florida. Since February 1, Tech ranks seventh nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, trailing second-ranked Florida by 3.2 points per 100 possessions.
Despite posting a 35.4% 3-point shooting percentage over that span, Texas Tech is shooting just 25% from deep in the tournament. If the Red Raiders can benefit from some positive shooting regression, this game will be closer than the market says.
📊 Best odds: -110 via Caesars ($10 to win $9.09)
Caesars is a 21+ product
🔥 Christian Anderson Over 10.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I mentioned Anderson earlier, but it’s worth hammering home just how pivotal he has been to this Texas Tech team. He may not lead the group in scoring, but with Chance McMillian down for the count, he is averaging 39.7 minutes per game in the tournament. On the year, Anderson is averaging only 30.5 minutes per game.
Yet Anderson’s increased playing time isn’t reflected in the Florida vs. Texas Tech player prop odds. Those 30.5 minutes per game allowed him to average 10.8 points per contest. If Anderson maintained his scoring pace over 9.2 additional minutes per game, he would be averaging just over 14 points.
The freshman couldn’t find the basket in the first two rounds, shooting a dreadful 22.2% from the floor, but his 22-point game against Arkansas is a better indicator of what we should be expecting from him. Anderson is shooting 43% from the floor this year - his 50% shooting clip against Arkansas is closer to the norm than the 22.2% we saw against Drake and UNC Wilmington.
📊 Best odds: -118 via FanDuel ($10 to win $8.47)
🎯 Score prediction: Florida 86, Texas Tech 82
The total for Saturday’s game is trading at 156.5, so we’re well over that number with this projected final tally of 168. I really like the Over in this spot as these teams are exceptionally efficient scorers and take a boatload of 3-point shots. Both sides rank in the top 40 in 3-point rate since Feb. 1.
We’ve also got the Red Raiders covering the spread in this projection. I don’t think either side will be able to take their collective feet off the gas pedal in this one in what should be a back-and-forth battle. If you enjoy watching offensive fireworks, this is the game for you.
📊 Best odds: +20000 via DraftKings ($10 to win $2,000)
🤖 Florida vs. Texas Tech AI prediction
For entertainment purposes, we asked ChatGPT to analyze historical trends and live NCAA Tournament stats before predicting the winner and exact score for Florida vs. Texas Tech in the Elite Eight. Our AI prediction projects a final score of Florida 82, Texas Tech 74.
🖥️ AI score prediction: Florida 82, Texas Tech 74
- Florida's offense, averaging 85.4 points per game, ranks third nationally. Their high-scoring capability, led by standout performances from players like Walter Clayton Jr., will challenge Texas Tech's defense.
- Texas Tech has demonstrated resilience in the tournament, notably overcoming a 16-point deficit to defeat Arkansas 85-83 in overtime during the Sweet 16. This comeback underscores their determination and ability to perform under pressure.
- Florida's defense has been formidable, holding opponents to an average of 70.2 points per game. Their ability to disrupt opposing offenses could pose significant challenges for Texas Tech's scoring efforts.
🤔 Betting takeaway: ChatGPT's AI prediction would mean Florida covering the spread (-6.5) and a total of 156 points, aligning closely with the over/under line of 156.5. ChatGPT is not a dedicated sports betting model, but it can identify data that March Madness bettors might overlook.
📊 Live Florida vs. Texas Tech odds
Follow the latest live March Madness college basketball odds and real-time NCAA Tournament scores for the Elite Eight.
Florida vs. Texas Tech movement
Spread
This spread has moved one point to 7.5 since opening at 6.5, which makes sense given the overwhelming action on Florida to cover as the favorite.
Total
Similarly, with so much action on the Over, this game's total has moved from 156.5 to 158.5.
Moneyline
After opening at -286 on the moneyline, Florida is now trading at -370 to win outright, via BetMGM.
🔢 Florida vs. Texas Tech opening odds
- Spread: Florida -6.5 (-110) | Texas Tech +6.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Florida -280 | Texas Tech +230
- Over/Under: Over 156.5 (-110) | Under 156.5 (-110)
📺 How to watch Florida vs. Texas Tech: NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
📅 Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
🕗 Time: 6:09 p.m. ET
📍 Location: Chase Center (San Francisco)
📺 TV: TBS / truTV
💻 Streaming: March Madness Live
🆚 Elite Eight game predictions
- Florida vs. Texas Tech prediction
- Duke vs. Alabama prediction
- Houston vs. Tennessee prediction
- Auburn vs. Michigan State prediction
- Auburn vs. Michigan State player props
- Auburn vs. Michigan State parlay
🏀 Best March Madness odds, predictions & expert picks today
- March Madness odds & schedule today
- March Madness survivor pool picks today
- March Madness predictions today
- Best March Madness player props today
- Best March Madness parlay today
- March Madness upset picks today
💰 March Madness betting odds pages
| March Madness odds | March Madness MVP odds |
| Women's March Madness odds | March Madness MVP predictions |
| Final Four odds | March Madness prop bets |
👑 Best March Madness betting sites
Ready to place your March Madness bets? Check out the best March Madness betting promos from the best March Madness betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review.
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission
Related Articles
