SAN FRANCISCO ― Florida basketball has ridden a wave of unselfish offensive play and toughness on defense and the boards into its Elite Eight matchup Saturday with Texas Tech.
The No. 1 seed Florida Gators (33-4) will look to continue their NCAA Tournament run and reach the Final Four for the first time since 2014 when they face the Red Raiders (28-8) at the Chase Center.
Florida is coming off a game in which six players scored double figures in its 87-71 win over Maryland in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. The Gators also outrebounded the Terrapins 42-20 and outscored Maryland 21-9 in second-chance points.
Third-year UF coach Todd Golden has confidence in his team going into the Elite Eight matchup based on its consistency and maturity. Florida has won nine in a row and 15 of its last 16.
“They have a lot of care for each other,” Golden said. “They play incredibly hard, and they play incredibly unselfish. It’s unique nowadays in college because of all the movement to get a group that cares about each other the way that our guys do.”
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Texas Tech, under second-year coach Grant McCasland, is coming off an 85-83 overtime win over Arkansas in the Sweet 16. The Red Raiders are led by Big 12 player of the year and 6-foot-9 forward J.T. Toppin (18.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg) who has posted 17 double doubles this season.
Florida basketball remains down at final TV timeout
Florida basketball remains down 71-64 on Texas Tech with 3:52 remaining. Walter Clayton Jr. with 20 points but the 3-point shooting struggles remain, as UF is 5-for-19 from 3-point range.
Danger time for Florida basketball vs Texas Tech
Florida basketball finds itself down 67-57 on Texas Tech with 7:48 remaining. Red Raiders on 6-0 run and getting anything they want inside right now. Darrion Williams with 21 points to lead UF. Gators also not shooting well from perimeter, 4-16 from 3-point range, which has hurt.
Florida basketball still down at second TV timeout of second half
Florida basketball remains down, 50-46, with 13:26 remaining. Walter Clayton Jr. has yet to sink a 3-pointer but will go to the line to shoot three attempts after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. Thomas Haugh with 14 points to lead UF, Clayton had 12 points.
Florida basketball down at first TV timeout of second half
Florida finds itself down 45-42 to Texas Tech at first TV timeout for the second half as Gators off to a slow start to start the second. Florida with just two points and three turnovers in first 4:02 of second half.
Florida basketball takes lead into halftime
Florida takes a 40-37 lead into halftime against Texas Tech. Red Raiders 7-16 from 3-point range and have outscored UF 13-5 in second chance points. But UF is getting to the foul line and converting, going 10 of 10 in the first half. Thomas Haugh with 12 points and six rebounds to lead UF, while Walter Clayton Jr. has eight points (but 0-3 from 3-point range).
Florida basketball takes slim lead into final TV timeout
Florida takes a 32-31 over Texas Tech into the final TV timeout in the first half after a Thomas Haugh steal and breakaway dunk. Haugh with 10 points to lead UF. Walter Clayton Jr. (4 points, 1-3 shooting) has been quiet so far.
Texas Tech with a slim lead over Florida basketball at third TV timeout
Texas Tech is up 24-23 on Florida at the third TV timeout. Darrion Williams with eight points for Texas Tech but on bench with two fouls. Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh with five points apiece for UF. Florida fortunate that Texas Tech is 6-10 from free throw line. Gators are 6-6.
Florida basketball, Texas Tech tied at second TV timeout
Florida and Texas Tech are tied at 19 at the second TV timeout. Gators have already used all four players in their post rotation. Thomas Haugh with five points to lead UF, Darrion Williams with six points for Texas Tech.
Florida basketball trails at first TV timeout
Florida weathered an early barrage of Texas Tech 3-pointers and is down 11-10 on the Red Raiders at the first TV timeout. Tommy Haugh and Denzel Aberdeen have come in off the bench already and made early impacts, with Haugh grabbing two rebounds and Aberdeen sinking a 3-pointer. Texas Tech 3-4 from 3-point range to start the game.
Decent crowd turnout for Florida basketball
Florida basketball with a solid fan turnout for today’s Elite Eight game on the West Coast. I’d sat 60-40 Florida fans to Texas Tech fans.
Chance McMillian available for Texas Tech vs Florida basketball
Texas Tech announced guard Chance McMillian will be available for the Red Raiders in today’s Elite Eight matchup with Florida. McMillian, a 43.4% 3-point shooter, has been out Texas Tech’s last four games with an oblique strain. McMillian isn’t starting for TTU.
Florida basketball Texas Tech injury update
Alex Condon (ankle) is listed in the starting lineup for Florida. Chance McMillian (oblique) not listed in starting lineup for Texas Tech.
Texas Tech basketball starters
G Hawkins, G Anderson, G Walton, F Williams, F Toppin
Florida basketball starters
G Clayton Jr., G Martin, G Richard, F Condon, C Chinyelu
Florida basketball vs Texas Tech officials
Officials for Florida basketball vs Texas Tech: James Breeding, Michael Irving, Steven Anderson
Florida basketball vs Texas Tech start time, location
- Start time: 6:09 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, Calif. (cap. 18,064)
What channel is Florida basketball vs Texas Tech game on today?
Radio: Gator Radio Network
TV channel: TBS, TruTV
Streaming: Sling
Florida basketball vs Texas Tech prediction
Florida 84, Texas Tech 73: Another strong second half will fuel Florida to its first Final Four appearance since 2014. Expect another balanced scoring effort for the Gators and for UF’s bench to play a role in the outcome of the game.
Florida basketball vs Texas Tech betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday morning
- Spread: Florida -7.5
- Over/Under: 157.5 points
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