On Sunday night, Nate Oats and his Alabama squad have a shot at making history. A victory over Texas Tech would catapult the Crimson Tide into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year-a record for the program.
This season has been a rollercoaster for Alabama. They've shown they can hang with-and beat-just about anyone, yet inconsistency has kept them from reaching their full potential. Without Aden Holloway for the second game in a row, Alabama will need a stellar performance on both ends of the court to overcome a Texas Tech team known for its toughness and offensive efficiency.
The oddsmakers have this one pegged as a nail-biter. Alabama is a slight favorite with a -1.5 spread, and both teams are evenly matched on the moneyline at -110.
The over/under is set at 165.5 points. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, this is a true toss-up, echoed by analytical sites like Bart Torvik and KenPom, which have slightly different views on the favorite.
Texas Tech's shooting prowess and ability to control the tempo pose a significant challenge to Alabama's sometimes shaky defense. Oats is understandably concerned about his guards' ability to contain their opponents, which could be pivotal in determining the outcome.
While Alabama's defense shone against Hofstra, the offense was solid but not spectacular. They'll need to elevate their game to get past Texas Tech.
Labaron Philon was outstanding, but contributions from Latrell Wrightsell and Amari Allen will be crucial. Additionally, someone other than Taylor Bol Bowen needs to step up off the bench and make an impact.
A subpar shooting night won't cut it.
In the end, we're leaning towards Alabama, but this matchup is as close as they come. Get ready for a thrilling contest.