March Madness: Florida takes on Texas Tech for a Sweet Sixteen spot
Both the Red Raiders and the Gators avoided trendy upset picks to advance and battle for the right to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Florida and Texas Tech will face off in Dallas Saturday night in what should be one of the most evenly matched games of the day.
The Red Raiders opened up as a two-point favorite over the Gators.
Florida advanced to the round of 32 by beating Saint Bonaventure, a game in which they were in control most of the way.
Texas Tech, on the other hand, played from behind most of their first-round game against Stephen F. Austin.
The game will be played in Dallas, what will comparatively be a home crowd for the Red Raiders.
Expect any crowd advantage for Texas Tech to be countered by the experience factor of Florida.
The Gators are looking to replicate last years Elite Eight run, while the Red Raiders are looking to advance past the second round for the first time since 2005.
Key Players
All eyes have been on Keenan Evans as he’s nursing a toe injury over the latter part of the season, but this is March and Evans showed toughness by putting the team on his back and guiding them to a win versus Stephen F. Austin.
Evans will likely have to do the same against the Gators. He averaged 17.7 points and 3.1 assists per game on the season.
Hudson, a transfer from Virginia Tech is the leading scorer of the Gators balanced offensive attack. The Gators will need a strong showing against the Red Raiders defense.
Chris Chiozza is the cog that keeps the Gators running smoothly. The leading assist man in the SEC this season ranks seventh in career assists.
Prediction
In this matchup expect the defenses to show out. Florida ranks 20th in the nation in defensive efficiency, while the Raiders are third behind only Virginia and Cincinnati.
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The seeds might lead some to believe Florida winning this game would be upset, but I believe the Gators tournament experience plays a vital role in this game.
Florida – 66 Texas Tech – 60