In the opening round of the Division I National Championship Tournament, the 11th-seeded NC State Wolfpack will take on the sixth-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders at the PPG Paints Arena. The Wolfpack, fresh off their victory in the ACC Tournament finals against the North Carolina Tar Heels, look to continue their strong form. The Red Raiders, on the other hand, are aiming to bounce back from a tough loss in the Big 12 Tournament.

NC State (22-14) showcased their offensive prowess in the ACC Tournament finals, scoring 84 points against their rivals. Led by senior guard DJ Horne's impressive performance of 29 points, the Wolfpack shot a remarkable 54.9% from the field. Their defense also played a crucial role in the victory, limiting UNC to just 37.3% shooting.

Throughout the season, NC State has been a potent offensive force, averaging 76.4 points per game while shooting 45.0% from the floor. Their defense has held up reasonably well, allowing an average of 72.7 points per game.

Meanwhile, the Texas Tech Red Raiders (23-10) suffered a tough defeat in the Big 12 Tournament, falling to the Houston Cougars by a significant margin. However, they exhibited decent shooting in the game, converting 33.3% of their attempts.

With an average of 75.6 points per game on 45.3% shooting, the Red Raiders have shown their offensive capabilities this season. Defensively, they have been solid, allowing 69.3 points per game.

In terms of recent form, the Wolfpack have been scoring at an impressive rate, averaging 81.6 points in their last five games. The Red Raiders, on the other hand, have averaged 73.3 points in their previous four games.

Both teams have performed similarly in terms of their assist-to-turnover ratio, with the Wolfpack ranking slightly higher at 67th in the country. They have a ratio of 1.343, while the Red Raiders sit in 71st place with a ratio of 1.321.

As NC State heads into this matchup as the underdog, there are expectations that they will cover the spread. The Wolfpack's recent offensive prowess, along with their solid defense, suggests they have a good chance of outperforming Texas Tech. The prediction favors the Wolfpack to cover the spread of +4.5.

Looking at the defensive statistics, the Wolfpack have allowed an average of 68.8 points in their last four games, while the Red Raiders have given up 69.0 points in their previous five games. Both teams have been playing at a slower pace this season, with Texas Tech ranked 267th in college basketball in possessions per game.

Considering these factors, the prediction also leans toward the total score being under 145.5 points, indicating a lower-scoring matchup.

The clash between the NC State Wolfpack and the Texas Tech Red Raiders promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams aiming to make a statement in the first round of the NCAAB Tournament.