Former Southwest Conference rivals Arkansas and Texas Tech will square off with a date in the Elite Eight on the line in the nightcap of the West Region semifinal Thursday in San Francisco.

The 10th-seeded Razorbacks are the lone double-digit seed remaining in the tournament after their surprising 75-66 upset of No. 2 St. John’s in the second round.

But they are an underdog for their third straight tournament game against the third-seeded Red Raiders. Texas Tech (27-8) is back in the second weekend for the fourth time in the past seven seasons.

The Red Raiders are 5.5-point favorites and the total is set at 148.5, according to the latest March Madness odds. Let’s get into my Arkansas vs. Texas Tech predictions and best bets for the Sweet 16.

Texas Tech vs Arkansas predictions and best bets

• Texas Tech moneyline: -235 at FanDuel
• Texas Tech -5.5: -110 at bet365
• Under 148.5 points: -115 at BetMGM

NOTE: Odds are based on the best value our experts find when writing; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.

Grant McCasland’s Red Raiders have won six of their past seven and has held opponents to 75-or-fewer points in 10 of their past 11.

Texas Tech is also one of the most efficient teams in the nation, ranking in the top-80 nationally in both field-goal percentage (46.9, 62nd) and field-goal-attempts per game (60.5, 78th).

But the Red Raiders have also become a national power through their dominant defense. Plus, even though they have skilled and experienced guards in Johnell Davis and D.J. Wagner — and may have leading scorer Adou Thiero back — the Razorbacks are not a great offensive team, ranking 11th in the SEC in points per game (76.6).

Texas Tech vs. Arkansas moneyline analysis

The Razorbacks are playing with house money by advancing to the Sweet 16 in John Calipari’s first season in Little Rock.

But Arkansas will have its work cut out for it against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were third in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage (37.1) and fifth in the conference in opponents’ 3-point percentage (31.9).

Thiero’s potential return from a knee injury would give the Razorbacks a high-end scoring and rebounding threat, since he averaged 15.6 points and six rebounds per game. But Texas Tech’s offensive and defensive efficiency should be too much for Arkansas.

Why Texas Tech could win as favorite

Best odds: -235 at FanDuel

Because the Red Raiders’ bigs are way better than the Razorbacks’ big men. Forward J.T. Toppin has played like the Big 12 player of the year in the NCAA Tournament by posting consecutive double-doubles, including his 25-point, 12-rebound performance in Texas Tech’s 77-64 win over Drake in the second round.

Toppin has spearheaded Texas Tech’s efficiency since he ranked 31st in the nation in field-goal percentage (56.2) but is shooting 81% in the tournament.

But it isn’t just Toppin, since teammate Darrion Williams is putting up 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in the Red Raiders’ two tournament games too. Arkansas only has two rotation players taller than 6-6, and each will have his hands full against the super-skilled big men.

Why Arkansas could win as underdog

Best odds: +205 at Caesars

Because this is the tournament of guards, and Arkansas’ are really good. Davis has gone this deep in the tournament before — two years ago with Florida Atlantic — and he, Wagner and freshman Boogie Fland are averaging 21.6 points and about six assists per game.

Plus, even though it’s been a decade, Calipari has taken every NCAA team he’s coached to the Final Four. Arkansas may have a significant coaching advantage in Thursday’s game.