Akron vs Texas Tech, Clemson vs Iowa: Best Bets for Friday

The Akron Zips will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a highly anticipated 12-5 matchup on Friday. It’s a game between two high-end offenses that love putting points on the board.

Akron’s going to try to control the pace of this game, pushing it as much as possible. I expect them to be able to do so, getting to the rim while giving up open looks from deep to Texas Tech. Ultimately, I expect good looks early in the shot clock for both teams, and I don’t believe either is going to pass them up to slow the game down.

Akron struggles to defend the arc, and that’s where Texas Tech should be able to do plenty of damage. They rank fourth in the NCAA in three-point percentage (39.3%) this season. They have two players hitting over 40% of their threes, while making over 100 on the season. Jaylen Petty is also shooting 37.2% from deep on volume.

On the other side, the Zips have flashed the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. The Red Raiders do make their opponents take tough twos, but Akron’s pace should help ease things up for their offense.

Ultimately, this is a spot where Texas Tech can near triple digits if their shot is falling, and I expect Akron to be able to find plenty of buckets as well.

Where to Bet: Akron & Texas Tech over 155.5 total points | -115 at DraftKings Sportsbook

Clemson & Iowa Under 130.5 Total Points

These are two high-end defenses that love to slow the pace down. The pace is going to be the key, as it’s going to limit opportunities overall. Iowa runs their offense at one of the slowest paces in the NCAA, and Clemson isn’t a team that’s going to push the pace in this game.

There aren’t going to be extra possessions or easy baskets for either team. Both are elite on the glass, limiting their opponents' offensive rebounds. They are also safe with the ball, limiting turnovers.

Both offenses are going to need to make tough shots on limited opportunities against good defenses. The other key is that neither team is elite where they have to beat their opponents.

Teams can beat Iowa at the line, but Clemson doesn’t draw an elite number of fouls. When they do get to the line, they shoot only 72.6%. On the other side, teams can beat Clemson with the deep ball, and Iowa only has two true shooters on their team.

This game feels like a slow, grind-it-out contest, where both teams are going to struggle to put points on the board.

Where to Bet: Clemson & Iowa under 130.5 total points | -115 at theScore Bet

2025-26 CBB Season Betting Record: 3-6