Texas Tech basketball faces Alabama with a Sweet 16 spot on the line as Grant McCasland leans on guard play, rebounding and toughness without JT Toppin.
Texas Tech basketball heads into Sunday’s NCAA Tournament showdown with Alabama carrying both urgency and edge.
The Red Raiders aren’t the same team they were before JT Toppin’s season-ending ACL injury, but they’re still dangerous, still disciplined, and still very much alive in March Madness.
That’s why this Texas Tech vs. Alabama matchup feels so intriguing.
The Red Raiders looked sharp in their first-round win, and now the challenge gets steeper against an Alabama team that wants to speed everything up and turn the game into a track meet.
Texas Tech would clearly rather make this a tougher, more controlled fight, especially with its frontcourt adjusting after losing Toppin.
Since then, the burden has shifted to the guards, and that reality hasn’t been lost inside the program.
“I think that the guards since JT has been injured have stepped up for us,” forward LeJuan Watts said. That’s exactly what Texas Tech will need again.
Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland knows Alabama presents problems, especially with how aggressively the Crimson Tide attack pace, spacing, and matchups. Alabama coach Nate Oats admitted as much.
“This team does as good a job as anybody as I’ve seen at hunting mismatches,” a clear nod to Texas Tech’s offensive feel and guard-driven play.
McCasland returned the respect.
“I don’t know if there’s a comparison just because he’s got size and can do it in a lot of different ways,” he said of Oats. “But definitely impressed with his ability to win.”
Rebounding may decide everything. Alabama dominated the glass in its opener, and Texas Tech knows that can’t happen again.
“Guard rebounding is huge for us,” McCasland said. “When we play our best, our guards are five rebounds-plus each, and that’s where it feels like we need to create advantages.”
Oats sees the same thing from the other bench.
“I do think part of what makes Texas Tech good is all the hustle plays,” he said.
And if this game turns into a shooting contest, both teams are comfortable there, too.
“We like to get 3s off,” Oats said. “So do they. If we can get more good looks off than them, I like our chances.”
Texas Tech’s counter is simple ... make Alabama uncomfortable, rebound as a unit, and drag this game into Red Raiders territory.
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