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SAN FRANCISCO — For the third time since 2018, and program history, the Texas Tech basketball team is headed to the Elite 8, and now the Red Raiders will get one of the best teams in the country.
The Florida Gators, the No. 1 seed in the West Region, will oppose No. 3-seed Texas Tech in Saturday's region championship game with a spot in the Final Four on the line. This will be just the fourth all-time meeting between the Red Raiders and Gators, the last one coming in the 2018 NCAA Tournament when Texas Tech defeated Florida 69-66.
Here's how the two teams stack up this time around, including a look at players to watch and predicting the final score.
Florida has been one of the best teams all season and have won nine in a row, which includes its three NCAA Tournament games and running its way through the SEC tournament for the championship.
Three of the Gators' four losses have come in true road environments with the other setback being an 83-82 loss at home to Missouri. The Gators also have a potent offense, averaging 85.4 points per game before the Sweet 16 and downing Maryland 87-71 behind six double-digit scorers.
More: Texas Tech vs. Florida is officially set. Here's time, date for March Madness Elite 8 game
In the win over the Terrapins, the Gators went 30-for-60 from the field overall and 11-for-28 from 3-point range. They also held a whopping 42-20 rebounding edge over Maryland. Florida did turn it over 17 times, which is something that could play into the Red Raiders' hands.
Much like Arkansas, the Gators can employ a sizeable lineup on the floor. Florida's starting backcourt of Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin are all 6-foot-2 or taller. Add in bigs Alex Condon (6-11) and Rueben Chinyelu (6-10) and it'll be another game amongst the trees for the Red Raiders.
Hawkins has been a major catalyst for the Red Raiders all season and he had quick the adventure against Arkansas.
The 5-foot-11 point guard was just 1-of-10 from the field and 1-of-7 from 3 against Arkansas, but Hawkins' one make was a crucial 3 in overtime that helped reclaim the lead after the Razorbacks had back-to-back makes.
Hawkins finished the game with five assists, six rebounds and five turnovers, the second-most giveaways he's had all season. Hawkins had six turnovers against Texas A&M, the other SEC team Tech has played this year.
More: Texas Tech basketball vs Arkansas final score: Darrion Williams wins Sweet 16 game for Red Raiders
Hawkins will likely spend plenty of time guarding Florida's all-American guard in Walter Clayton Jr., who is not afraid to rise up and shoot from anywhere on the court. The former Iona product was averaging 17.9 points and 4.1 assists per game. He only had 13 points and four assists against Maryland, but Clayton's full services also weren't needed down the stretch.
Look for the lead guards for Texas Tech and Florida to set the tone early and often.
Score prediction: Texas Tech 81, Florida 80— There are a lot of things working against Texas Tech in this game. Back-to-back games against physical and bigger opponents, having to muster everything it had to get the comeback win over Arkansas. But the Red Raiders have almost mastered the art of playing above expectations. You can't count them out until somebody knocks them out, and they ain't hearing no bell just yet.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech vs. Florida prediction, pick for March Madness Elite 8
Continue reading...
The Florida Gators, the No. 1 seed in the West Region, will oppose No. 3-seed Texas Tech in Saturday's region championship game with a spot in the Final Four on the line. This will be just the fourth all-time meeting between the Red Raiders and Gators, the last one coming in the 2018 NCAA Tournament when Texas Tech defeated Florida 69-66.
Here's how the two teams stack up this time around, including a look at players to watch and predicting the final score.
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Scouting Texas Tech basketball's Elite 8 opponent: Florida Gators
Florida has been one of the best teams all season and have won nine in a row, which includes its three NCAA Tournament games and running its way through the SEC tournament for the championship.
Three of the Gators' four losses have come in true road environments with the other setback being an 83-82 loss at home to Missouri. The Gators also have a potent offense, averaging 85.4 points per game before the Sweet 16 and downing Maryland 87-71 behind six double-digit scorers.
More: Texas Tech vs. Florida is officially set. Here's time, date for March Madness Elite 8 game
In the win over the Terrapins, the Gators went 30-for-60 from the field overall and 11-for-28 from 3-point range. They also held a whopping 42-20 rebounding edge over Maryland. Florida did turn it over 17 times, which is something that could play into the Red Raiders' hands.
Much like Arkansas, the Gators can employ a sizeable lineup on the floor. Florida's starting backcourt of Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin are all 6-foot-2 or taller. Add in bigs Alex Condon (6-11) and Rueben Chinyelu (6-10) and it'll be another game amongst the trees for the Red Raiders.
Players to watch: Texas Tech's Elijah Hawkins and Florida's Walter Clayton Jr.
Hawkins has been a major catalyst for the Red Raiders all season and he had quick the adventure against Arkansas.
The 5-foot-11 point guard was just 1-of-10 from the field and 1-of-7 from 3 against Arkansas, but Hawkins' one make was a crucial 3 in overtime that helped reclaim the lead after the Razorbacks had back-to-back makes.
Hawkins finished the game with five assists, six rebounds and five turnovers, the second-most giveaways he's had all season. Hawkins had six turnovers against Texas A&M, the other SEC team Tech has played this year.
More: Texas Tech basketball vs Arkansas final score: Darrion Williams wins Sweet 16 game for Red Raiders
Hawkins will likely spend plenty of time guarding Florida's all-American guard in Walter Clayton Jr., who is not afraid to rise up and shoot from anywhere on the court. The former Iona product was averaging 17.9 points and 4.1 assists per game. He only had 13 points and four assists against Maryland, but Clayton's full services also weren't needed down the stretch.
Look for the lead guards for Texas Tech and Florida to set the tone early and often.
Texas Tech prediction vs. Florida: March Madness Elite 8
Score prediction: Texas Tech 81, Florida 80— There are a lot of things working against Texas Tech in this game. Back-to-back games against physical and bigger opponents, having to muster everything it had to get the comeback win over Arkansas. But the Red Raiders have almost mastered the art of playing above expectations. You can't count them out until somebody knocks them out, and they ain't hearing no bell just yet.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech vs. Florida prediction, pick for March Madness Elite 8
Continue reading...
