SAN FRANCISCO — The Florida Gators are on the brink of making history, just one win away from their first Final Four appearance since 2014. With a stellar record of 33-4, the No. 1 seed Gators face off against the No. 3 seed Texas Tech Red Raiders (28-8) in the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. This highly anticipated matchup is set to tip off at 6:09 p.m. ET at the Chase Center, and fans are eager to see who will punch their ticket to San Antonio.
Florida enters this game riding a wave of momentum, having recently triumphed over No. 4 seed Maryland with a convincing 87-71 victory in the Sweet 16. The Gators showcased their dominance on the boards, out-rebounding the Terrapins 42-20 and scoring 21 second-chance points. Head coach Todd Golden, now in his third year with Florida, expressed his confidence in the team’s chemistry and maturity, stating, "They have a lot of care for each other. They play incredibly hard, and they play incredibly unselfish." With nine consecutive wins and 15 victories in their last 16 games, the Gators are poised to continue their impressive run.
On the other side, Texas Tech is coming off a thrilling 85-83 overtime win against No. 10 seed Arkansas, where they rallied from a 16-point deficit. The Red Raiders are led by the Big 12 Player of the Year, 6-foot-9 forward JT Toppin, who has averaged 18.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game this season. Toppin has been a force on the boards, recording 17 double-doubles throughout the season. Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland praised his team's resilience, saying, "It's an awesome opportunity to be on this team with these guys because nobody believes more in each other than this group."
The matchup between Florida and Texas Tech features two of the brightest young coaches in college basketball, with Golden at 39 years old and McCasland at 48. Both teams have shown their ability to perform under pressure, making this contest a must-watch for college basketball fans.
As the game approaches, key factors to watch include Florida's ability to control the boards against Texas Tech's formidable frontcourt. The Gators will need to limit turnovers after struggling with ball control in previous games, including turning the ball over 13 times in the first half against Maryland. Florida's center Rueben Chinyelu emphasized the importance of valuing possessions, stating, "In order to achieve what we have to, we have to take care of the ball, love the ball because it's precious."
Florida's starting lineup features Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard, Alex Condon, and Chinyelu. Condon, who rolled his ankle in the Sweet 16 game, is expected to play after returning to the floor in the second half against Maryland. Meanwhile, Texas Tech's starting five includes Elijah Hawkins, Christian Anderson, Kerwin Walton, Darrion Williams, and Toppin. Notably, senior guard Chance McMillian, who has been sidelined with an oblique strain, is available for the game but will come off the bench.
The game is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams displaying offensive prowess throughout the tournament. Florida has averaged 85.5 points per game this season, while Texas Tech has scored 80.9 points per game. The Gators are also shooting 47.3% from the field, while the Red Raiders boast a shooting percentage of 46.7%. With both teams capable of explosive scoring runs, fans can expect an entertaining clash.
As the first half unfolds, both teams are battling for control. Florida took a brief lead at 32-31 after a powerful transition slam from Thomas Haugh, who has been a key contributor off the bench. Haugh has already made his presence felt with ten points in the first half. However, the Red Raiders are holding their own, maintaining a narrow lead thanks to their sharp shooting from beyond the arc. Texas Tech is currently shooting 58.3% from three-point range, a crucial factor in their offensive strategy.
With the game still in its early stages, both teams are focused on executing their game plans and making necessary adjustments. Florida has shown resilience in previous matchups, and if they can continue their strong rebounding and limit turnovers, they could very well secure their place in the Final Four.
The stakes are high as Florida and Texas Tech battle it out for a coveted spot in the next round of the NCAA Tournament. Fans are on the edge of their seats, eager to see which team will emerge victorious and earn the right to compete for a national championship.
As the clock winds down in the first half, the Gators have demonstrated their depth and versatility, with contributions from multiple players. Florida's bench has been instrumental in their success, and the coaching staff is confident that this depth will play a significant role in the outcome of the game. With the Gators aiming to maintain momentum, expect another strong second half to propel them to victory.
Prediction: Florida 84, Texas Tech 73. Another strong second half will fuel Florida to its first Final Four appearance since 2014, as they look to balance scoring and leverage their bench strength to secure the win.
