Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Purdue Boilermakers Odds, March Madness Betting Pick

Purdue and Texas Tech meet in an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game Friday night in Boston, but neither are doing their financial backers much good as of late.

The Boilermakers are just 2-12-1 against the spread over their last 15 games, while the Red Raiders are only 1-7-1 ATS their last nine times out. Where might the betting value lie on this one?

March Madness point spread: The Boilermakers opened as 1.5-point favorites; the total is at 137.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

March Madness betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 74.8-67.3, Boilermakers (March Madness picks on every game)

Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news.

Why Texas Tech can cover the spread

The Red Raiders reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005 by beating Stephen F. Austin in the first round of this NCAA tournament 70-60 and Florida in the second round 69-66.

In a game that was close throughout, Texas Tech finally took the lead for good on the Gators on a bucket with two-and-a-half minutes to go. The Raiders then survived two Gators three-point attempts in the final seconds for the victory and the cover as 1.5-point favorites.

Texas Tech shot 44.4 percent from the floor, held Florida to 39.7 percent shooting and won the turnover battle 11-8.

Two days earlier, the Raiders trailed the Lumberjacks by eight early in the second half, then ended the game with a 39-21 run. Unfortunately, they came up one point short of salvaging a push against an 11-point spread.

Texas Tech is now 12-6 SU this season against teams that made the NCAA tournament.

Why Purdue can cover the spread

The Boilermakers reached the Sweet 16 for the second straight year by first snuffing Cal State Fullerton 74-48 then beating Butler 76-73.

Purdue trailed the Bulldogs by nine points 13 minutes into the game but used a 25-12 rally to lead by four at the half. The Boilers later led by 10 with 10 minutes to go, let Butler get within two late but held on for the hard-fought victory.

On the day, Purdue shot 50 percent from the floor and hit 11 of 24 from three-point range.

The Boilermakers only shot 39 percent from the field in the first round against the Titans but held CSF to 36 percent shooting and won the battle on the boards 44-34.

Purdue is 7-4 SU this season against teams that made the Big Dance.

Smart betting pick

The Boilers are still expected to play without center Isaac Haas (broken elbow), and while they won their first game without him, his absence will eventually be felt. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders play solid defense and do a good job on the boards. Smart money here takes Texas Tech.

March Madness betting trends

Purdue is 2-12-1 ATS in its last 15 games.

Texas Tech is 1-7-1 ATS in its last nine games.

Texas Tech is 8-2 SU and 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games against the Big Ten.

All college basketball odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.