Villanova vs. Texas Tech: NCAA Tournament game preview, schedule and prediction
The East Region is down to Villanova and Texas Tech, with a spot in the Final Four on the line. Which team will advance in a battle of strengths?
TV schedule: Sunday, March 25, 2:20 p.m. ET. CBS
Arena: TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts
This is uncharted territory for Texas Tech (27-9) as a basketball program. They’ve been in the Sweet Sixteen six times, but never to the Elite Eight. But that changed on Friday night, after beating a shorthanded Purdue to make history. After struggling in the first half once again, star senior Keenan Evans led the second half charge, to push the game away from the Boilermakers. Five Red Raiders scored at least nine points while displaying their outstanding defense.
While this is new for Texas Tech, it’s certainly not for Villanova (33-4), who is looking for a second national championship in three years. Th top scoring offense in the country has kept it going, scoring around 85 ppg while making an incredible 44 three-pointers in the first three games. Even West Virginia’s defense couldn’t contain them, with four Wildcats scoring at least 14 points in the game. Jalen Brunson, one of the Wooden Award finalists, had 27 points while outplaying Jevon Carter from the Mountaineers.
As great as Jay Wright’s team has looked all season, they’ve yet to play a defense like Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were the best defense in the Big 12, and have gone up against quality offenses similar to the Wildcats.
The premium matchup will be at the point position, with Brunson and Evans going up against each other. For Texas Tech to have any real shot at winning this, the senior will have to be close to matching Brunson’s production. Freshmen Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver with have to continue coming up big on both ends, while also dealing with Mikal Bridges on the other side.
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This game for the top seeded team will be similar to what happened against West Virginia, with Texas Tech hanging in there with Villanova for 30+ minutes. But I don’t think they have enough offense to keep up with the Wildcats, and their historic run ends Sunday afternoon.
Prediction: Villanova 80 – Texas Tech 72