SAN FRANCISCO — Two days after overcoming a 16-point deficit to stun Arkansas within the Candy 16, Texas Tech will face its largest problem of the match on Saturday.
The third-seeded Crimson Raiders will play top-seeded Florida, led by former Saint Mary’s guard and College of San Francisco coach Todd Golden, within the Elite Eight at Chase Middle.
At stake: A spot within the Ultimate 4.
Florida has been a juggernaut via the primary three rounds of the match, defeating Norfolk State, two-time defending champion UConn and Maryland. The Gators (33-4) have gained 9 in a row and 15 of 16.
Texas Tech understands the problem that awaits.
“They have a plan that I think they execute as good as anybody in the country,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland after his group’s 85-83 victory over Arkansas in time beyond regulation on Thursday. “I watched a little bit of the SEC championship and watched them basically just play their best basketball of the year. I’ve heard consistently from coaches that they’re playing the best of anybody in the country.
“This is what you sign up for when you play in the NCAA Tournament and you want the opportunity to play the best, but we’ve got a tremendous amount of respect because I think they play the right way and they can beat you in a ton of different ways. They’ve got grit and fight and a great plan, and they execute.”
On the flip aspect, Texas Tech isn’t any slouch, both.
Regardless of being undersized at nearly each place towards a streaking Arkansas group, the Crimson Raiders charged again down the stretch behind clutch play on each ends.
The consequence was the second largest comeback in Candy 16 historical past.
Sacramento native and Texas Tech’s second-leading scorer Darrion Williams struggled to make pictures. However he scored 20 factors on 26 makes an attempt, hitting a game-tying 3-pointer and the go-ahead layup in time beyond regulation to seal the win.
Massive 12 participant of the yr JT Toppin was a pressure, ending with 20 factors and 10 boards whereas guard Christian Anderson led all scorers with 22.
“They’re a really good team,” Florida ahead Thomas Haugh stated Friday. “They have two really good bigs that they play to, and they’ve got a good rim-protector big. And their guards can all shoot. It’s going to be a really good game. We’ve got to stick to the scout, stick to the game plan.”
Listed here are the sport’s high storylines:
FLORIDA’S SIZE
Florida could have the clear peak benefit.
The Gators begin 6-foot-11 ahead Alex Condon and 6-10 middle Rueben Chinyelu – two athletic shot blockers who’re additionally proficient within the submit. Florida additionally brings Haugh, a 6-9 ahead, and 7-1 middle Micah Handlogten off the bench.
The Gators greater than doubled Maryland’s rebounding totals, hauling in 42 to the Terps’ 20.
“I feel like their size is one of them things,” Texas Tech ahead Federiko Federiko informed reporters on Friday. “And they’re aggressive, super aggressive.”
Whereas Federiko is 6-11 and Toppin is 6-9, the duo didn’t play a lot on the ground collectively towards a equally massive Arkansas group. The Crimson Raiders usually went small to fight Arkansas’ dimension with quickness.
Florida Gators’ Thomas Haugh (10) celebrates a basket within the second half of their Candy 16 spherical of the NCAA Males’s Basketball Match at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Florida Gators defeated the Maryland Terrapins 87-71. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
CAN TECH HAVE A BETTER SHOOTING NIGHT?
For a majority of Thursday’s sport, Texas Tech did not get into any form of offensive rhythm.
The Crimson Raiders shot 35.3% from the sphere within the first half and struggled to get to the rim towards Arkansas’ size and athleticism.
Regardless of his clutch shot making down the stretch, Williams will most likely have to be environment friendly from the sphere early towards a Florida group that performs very properly from forward.
On Thursday, Williams shot 8 of 26 general and a couple of of 10 from 3-point vary.
Nonetheless, he made an affect.
“I think to play a game like he played yesterday, not being able to make shots early or struggling early, but to keep the confidence to make those shots down the stretch I think is why he’s the heart of the team, just that confidence and his will to go win for us,” teammate Kevin Overton stated.
Texas Tech Crimson Raiders’ Darrion Williams (5) shoots previous Arkansas Razorbacks’ Karter Knox (11) within the second half of their Candy 16 spherical of the NCAA Males’s Basketball Match at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Texas Tech Crimson Raiders defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks in time beyond regulation 85-83. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Whereas Florida has the scale and athleticism to match up with any group within the nation, maybe the Gators’ largest benefit is their depth.
Six gamers scored six or extra factors towards Maryland and eight gamers performed eight minutes or extra.
“It’s our biggest strength,” Golden stated. “We go nine deep. With Micah (Handlogten) coming back, I have equated it to kind of getting a deadline trade deal done. Him coming back when he did was huge for us.
“This time of year, having that depth is incredible.”
Florida Gators’ Walter Clayton (1) shoots previous the Maryland Terrapins within the first half of their Candy 16 spherical of the NCAA Males’s Basketball Match at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
WILL CHANCE MCMILLIAN PLAY?
Texas Tech guard and Vallejo native Probability McMillian missed his fourth straight sport with an indirect damage on Thursday and can once more be a game-time resolution, in response to McCasland.
The senior is Texas Tech’s third main scorer and a 41% shooter from the 3-point line.
McCasland stated McMillian participated in Texas Tech’s pregame shoot round on Thursday and was anticipated to play in some capability. However he was scratched from the lineup after he informed McCasland he didn’t really feel proper.
“We’re just trying to give him confidence that he can do it and trying to support him as best we can,” McCasland stated.
Texas Tech Crimson Raiders’ Probability McMillian (0), proper, sits on the bench whereas taking part in the Arkansas Razorbacks within the first half of their Candy 16 spherical of the NCAA Males’s Basketball Match at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
