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TAMPA — Alabama basketball will meet Texas Tech in the Round of 32 as it seeks to advance in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The Crimson Tide has made six consecutive March Madness appearances − tying a program record − under coach Nate Oats, who is in his seventh year with Alabama (24-9).
Here are three things to keep an eye on as the No. 4 seed Crimson Tide meets the No. 5 seed Red Raiders at Benchmark International Arena.
Here's the score prediction from The Tuscaloosa News:
Alabama 84, Texas Tech 80
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Texas Tech's Anderson averages 7.5 assists to rank No. 3 in the country, trailing just Braden Smith of Purdue and Jeremy Fears Jr. of Michigan State. Meanwhile, Philon's 4.8 assists struggle to crack the top 75. That being said, Alabama had one more elite option to dish out the ball in its nationally-acclaimed backcourt prior to the arrest of Aden Holloway on Monday, March 16.
Both sophomores can shoot, too. Philon touts a field-goal percentage of better than 51% to average 22 points per game, but Anderson isn't far behind, shooting 48% from the floor to average 19 points per contest.
The Crimson Tide is the fastest remaining team in the NCAA Tournament, per KenPom. Alabama is averaging 72.3 possessions per game. With about 66.1 possessions per 40 minutes, Texas Tech comes in at No. 66.
The Red Raiders are more methodical in style of play, finding mismatches and walking it up to help force turnovers. Opponents of Texas Tech turn the ball over about 10 times per game.
Amari Allen can't give Alabama just one half of his best basketball. The Crimson Tide requires a complete performance from its freshman standout and lead rebounder, who has found himself struggling in the first 20 minutes of games like the first round against Hofstra and Alabama's loss to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament.
Allen, a potential candidate for the 2026 NBA Draft, said he's "not sure" why he's had slower starts as of late while previewing Texas Tech on Saturday, March 21.
"Typically I let the game come to me. I don't try to force things. I'm not too focused on scoring or any of that. When I feel like I can get in the flow and get some points, obviously it helps, but my main focus is coming in, trying to play great defense, rebound, all that, and what comes with the scoring comes with it," Allen said.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball vs Texas Tech score prediction, scouting report
Continue reading...
The Crimson Tide has made six consecutive March Madness appearances − tying a program record − under coach Nate Oats, who is in his seventh year with Alabama (24-9).
Here are three things to keep an eye on as the No. 4 seed Crimson Tide meets the No. 5 seed Red Raiders at Benchmark International Arena.
Score prediction for Alabama basketball vs Texas Tech
Here's the score prediction from The Tuscaloosa News:
Alabama 84, Texas Tech 80
REQUIRED READING: From car washes to calling timeouts, Houston Mallette's path could lead back to Alabama
'NOT THE SHOE MAN': 200 pairs and counting, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. leads Alabama's shoe game
Duel between Labaron Philon vs Christian Anderson will be must-see
Texas Tech's Anderson averages 7.5 assists to rank No. 3 in the country, trailing just Braden Smith of Purdue and Jeremy Fears Jr. of Michigan State. Meanwhile, Philon's 4.8 assists struggle to crack the top 75. That being said, Alabama had one more elite option to dish out the ball in its nationally-acclaimed backcourt prior to the arrest of Aden Holloway on Monday, March 16.
Both sophomores can shoot, too. Philon touts a field-goal percentage of better than 51% to average 22 points per game, but Anderson isn't far behind, shooting 48% from the floor to average 19 points per contest.
Will Texas Tech try to slow down speedy Alabama basketball?
The Crimson Tide is the fastest remaining team in the NCAA Tournament, per KenPom. Alabama is averaging 72.3 possessions per game. With about 66.1 possessions per 40 minutes, Texas Tech comes in at No. 66.
The Red Raiders are more methodical in style of play, finding mismatches and walking it up to help force turnovers. Opponents of Texas Tech turn the ball over about 10 times per game.
Who has to be X-factor for Crimson Tide to continue in March Madness?
Amari Allen can't give Alabama just one half of his best basketball. The Crimson Tide requires a complete performance from its freshman standout and lead rebounder, who has found himself struggling in the first 20 minutes of games like the first round against Hofstra and Alabama's loss to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament.
Allen, a potential candidate for the 2026 NBA Draft, said he's "not sure" why he's had slower starts as of late while previewing Texas Tech on Saturday, March 21.
"Typically I let the game come to me. I don't try to force things. I'm not too focused on scoring or any of that. When I feel like I can get in the flow and get some points, obviously it helps, but my main focus is coming in, trying to play great defense, rebound, all that, and what comes with the scoring comes with it," Allen said.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball vs Texas Tech score prediction, scouting report
Continue reading...
