After early struggles, Texas Tech kicked into gear early in Big 12 play and have kept that momentum deep into March, finding themselves in their first Elite Eight in six years. Grant McCasland’s work with this group has been phenomenal, especially in a wild overtime win in the Sweet Sixteen over Arkansas, especially without the roster at full strength.
Meanwhile a promising season just keeps getting brighter for a Gators squad that has now won nine games in row, including the SEC Tournament and their first Elite Eight since 2017. Florida showed their power and resolve in a clutch win over UConn in the second round before battling past Maryland on Thursday night and aren’t ready to stop here.
How to watch Texas Tech vs. Florida
- Date: Saturday, March 29
· Time: 6:09 p.m. ET
· Venue: Chase Center
· How to Watch (TV): TBS/truTV
· Streaming: fubo TV (link: https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191260?irad=367782&irmp=374356)
· Texas Tech record: 28-8 (15-5 Big 12)
· Florida record: 33-4 (14-4 SEC)
Texas Tech vs. Florida odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook (link: https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/ )
Moneyline
· Texas Tech +230
· Florida -285
Spread
· Texas Tech +6.5 (-105)
· Florida -6.5 (-115)
Total
· 155.5 (over -115/under -105)
Texas Tech injury report
· Chance McMillian, G, Questionable (Upper body)
Florida injury report
· Alex Condon, F, Questionable (Ankle)
Texas Tech and Florida series history
· Texas Tech all-time record vs. Florida: 1-2
Texas Tech vs. Florida prediction
The Big 12 wasn’t on the same level as the SEC this season but Texas Tech has spent months proving that they belong in these conversations. McCasland’s team did very little to build their reputation in nonconference play, but have really turned into a juggernaut down the stretch this season. The Red Raiders won a boatload of impressive games in Big 12 play and have fought tooth and nail to get to this point.
That’s not to say that the road here has been wine and roses for the Gators, as Florida fought through the SEC and three Tourney games to get here themselves. A road loss at Georgia is this team’s only blemish over the last eight weeks, a stretch which includes multiples win over several other Elite Eight teams like Alabama. Todd Golden’s third season certainly has Florida back on the map in a major way.
These are both Top 5 offenses in the efficiency rankings, though they get the job done a little differently. Florida has leaned heavily on All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr., but soared in the Sweet Sixteen thanks to their talented frontcourt as well. While Condon left early with an ankle issue, sophomores Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu continued their great seasons and the Gators prevailed.
With McMillian still sidelined for Texas Tech, it might not have been a shock to see some struggles against that talented Arkansas team but coming back from a 16-point deficit to win in overtime was outstanding. This team has incredible resolve, reflecting not just their coach in McCasland but the work of star forwards JT Toppin and Darrion Williams, who both continue to excel in the postseason.
However, Florida is a different animal and the Red Raiders can’t afford to build themselves that kind of hole. The Gators excel at almost everything, including on the defensive end. If the Red Raiders can’t find and hit open shots, then another slow start will almost certainly doom them. They’ll need someone outside of those known stars to get hot, especially if McMillian is still out of the lineup.
Clayton will be the best player on the court and it’s hard to pick against his team with how they’re playing at the moment. They made that win over a very strong Maryland lineup look relatively easy and a good defensive effort on Saturday could mean their first Final Four trip on over a decade. However, the Red Raiders absolutely have a shot here if they take care of the basketball and can finally find their shooting stroke, as the team is just 10 of 46 from outside the arc in the last two games.
Prediction: Florida 79, Texas Tech 72