The Big Dance heats up on Saturday night with Elite Eight matchups between Texas Tech (3) and Florida (1) and Alabama (2) and Duke (1).

In tonight’s opener, SEC Tournament champ Florida (33-4, 14-4 SEC) will look to stay hot against the best team it has seen in the West Region, the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Florida reached this stage with wins over 16-seed Norfolk State, 8-seed UConn and 4-seed Maryland, sandwiching blowouts of the Spartans and Terrapins around a close call vs. the Huskies in the round of 32.

Texas Tech (28-8, 15-5 Big 12) needed a furious late rally and overtime to survive vs. Arkansas (10) on Thursday night. This team beat a 14-seed (UNC Wilmington) in the first round and an 11-seed (Drake) in the second ahead of the Sweet 16 battle with Arkansas. The way those teams were seeded undersells how stiff the Red Raiders’ NCAAT competition has been, though.

Texas Tech vs. Florida Odds: Spread, ML, Total

The player to watch tonight is TT star JT Toppin, who won Big 12 Player of the Year after averaging just over 18 points and 9 rebounds per game. Florida boasts a star of its own in Walter Clayton Jr., but how Toppin fares on the block will likely have more impact on who wins, as the heavily favored Gators are balanced enough to survive a quiet night from Clayton.

The Red Raiders could* also get a boost from All-Big 12 Second Teamer Chance McMillian, who is a 43.4 percent 3-point shooter, but he’s been listed as day-to-day for multiple weeks now.

*Key word “could.” As of Saturday morning, it was unclear whether McMillian would return tonight from an oblique strain he suffered in his team’s Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal matchup vs. Baylor.

How to Watch Texas Tech vs. Florida

• Tipoff: 6:09 p.m. ET
• Channel: TBS/truTV

Best Texas Tech vs. Florida Player Prop

Thomas Haugh o11.5 points (+100 at FD) — 1 units

The balanced Gators are not an easy team to target on the props front, but one particular player on Florida’s deep bench appears primed to have a huge night.

Sophomore big man Thomas Haugh has come off the bench in all but five games this year, but his minutes and production are trending in the right direction right now.

Obviously, if starter Alex Condon is hobbled or has to miss this game, Haugh’s ceiling is sky-high. But even if Condon manages to both suit up and be effective tonight, Haugh is playing too well right now not to get minutes.

His numbers in just 22 minutes vs. Norfolk State (No. 178 per KenPom) should be taken with a grain of salt, but are still worth mentioning: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks.

His production vs. Connecticut and Maryland doesn’t need a caveat, though.

Haugh had 7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists vs. in 27 minutes vs. the reigning national champs, and he was even better in an extended appearance (32 minutes) vs. the Terps, with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.

Against a Texas Tech frontcourt that boasts not only one of the best back-to-the-basket scorers in the country in Toppin, but also 6-foot-6 battering ram Darrion Williams, Haugh will be needed, even if Condon is 100 percent healthy.

Haugh’s rebounds prop — Over 6.5 Rebounds (+100 at bet365) — is also extremely tempting at even money.

These prices and lines will change in a big way if Condon is ruled out, so if these interest you, now is the time to hop on them.

Florida vs. Texas Tech Prediction, Best Bets

I’ve got two takes on this matchup. Unfortunately, they kinda contradict each other, but bear with me here as I explain myself:

• JT Toppin won’t be as effective as usual offensively.
• Texas Tech will keep this close

If you just look at the box score from Thursday night, you’ll see that Maryland big man Derik Queen lit the Gators up for 27 points on 8-for-17 shooting. But that doesn’t mean Toppin is positioned for the same kind of production. Queen did his damage off the dribble, and that is not how Toppin operates.

It’s hard to deny that Florida’s ceiling is higher than Texas Tech’s, especially if Condon is anywhere near 100 percent and McMillian remains sidelined.

Florida, however, was sloppy at times vs. both Connecticut and Maryland — some of the mistakes were caused by great defense, but a number of them were not — and I think we’ll see some lulls from the Gators again tonight.

Ultimately, though, Florida is well-suited to contain Toppin and Williams — who are two of the biggest bullies (in a good way) in the country — and it has the firepower in the backcourt to pull this thing out.

It won’t be a cakewalk, though.

Remember, Texas Tech is the only team in the country that has beaten Houston since February. Also keep in mind that the Red Raiders pulled that off on the road in a game they essentially played without Toppin, who was ejected in the first five minutes.

Obviously, Texas Tech won’t be able to hang with Florida if it starts this contest in a shooting funk like the one it was in for most of the Arkansas game. That being said, I do like the underdogs to keep this thing competitive from start to finish (cover).

Florida vs. Texas Tech Best Bets

• Texas Tech +7 (-110 at bet365) — 1 unit

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SAN FRANCISCO — Two days after overcoming a 16-point deficit to stun Arkansas in the Sweet 16, Texas Tech will face its biggest challenge of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. 

The third-seeded Red Raiders will play top-seeded Florida, led by former Saint Mary’s guard and University of San Francisco coach Todd Golden, in the Elite Eight at Chase Center.

At stake: A spot in the Final Four. 

Florida has been a juggernaut through the first three rounds of the tournament, defeating Norfolk State, two-time defending champion UConn and Maryland. The Gators (33-4) have won nine in a row and 15 of 16.

Texas Tech understands the challenge that awaits.

“They have a plan that I think they execute as good as anybody in the country,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland after his team’s 85-83 victory over Arkansas in overtime on Thursday. “I watched a little bit of the SEC championship and watched them basically just play their best basketball of the year. I’ve heard consistently from coaches that they’re playing the best of anybody in the country.

“This is what you sign up for when you play in the NCAA Tournament and you want the opportunity to play the best, but we’ve got a tremendous amount of respect because I think they play the right way and they can beat you in a ton of different ways. They’ve got grit and fight and a great plan, and they execute.”

On the flip side, Texas Tech is no slouch, either. 

Despite being undersized at almost every position against a streaking Arkansas team, the Red Raiders charged back down the stretch behind clutch play on both ends.

The result was the second biggest comeback in Sweet 16 history. 

Sacramento native and Texas Tech’s second-leading scorer Darrion Williams struggled to make shots. But he scored 20 points on 26 attempts, hitting a game-tying 3-pointer and the go-ahead layup in overtime to seal the win. 

Big 12 player of the year JT Toppin was a force, finishing with 20 points and 10 boards while guard Christian Anderson led all scorers with 22. 

“They’re a really good team,” Florida forward Thomas Haugh said Friday. “They have two really good bigs that they play to, and they’ve got a good rim-protector big. And their guards can all shoot. It’s going to be a really good game. We’ve got to stick to the scout, stick to the game plan.”

Here are the game’s top storylines:

FLORIDA’S SIZE

Florida will have the clear height advantage.

The Gators start 6-foot-11 forward Alex Condon and 6-10 center Rueben Chinyelu – two athletic shot blockers who are also proficient in the post. Florida also brings Haugh, a 6-9 forward, and 7-1 center Micah Handlogten off the bench. 

The Gators more than doubled Maryland’s rebounding totals, hauling in 42 to the Terps’ 20.

“I feel like their size is one of them things,” Texas Tech forward Federiko Federiko told reporters on Friday. “And they’re aggressive, super aggressive.”

While Federiko is 6-11 and Toppin is 6-9, the duo didn’t play much on the floor together against a similarly big Arkansas team. The Red Raiders often went small to combat Arkansas’ size with quickness.

CAN TECH HAVE A BETTER SHOOTING NIGHT?

For a majority of Thursday’s game, Texas Tech failed to get into any sort of offensive rhythm.

The Red Raiders shot 35.3% from the field in the first half and struggled to get to the rim against Arkansas’ length and athleticism. 

Despite his clutch shot making down the stretch, Williams will probably need to be efficient from the field early against a Florida team that plays very well from ahead.

On Thursday, Williams shot 8 of 26 overall and 2 of 10 from 3-point range.

Still, he made an impact.

“I think to play a game like he played yesterday, not being able to make shots early or struggling early, but to keep the confidence to make those shots down the stretch I think is why he’s the heart of the team, just that confidence and his will to go win for us,” teammate Kevin Overton said. 

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

While Florida has the size and athleticism to match up with any team in the country, perhaps the Gators’ biggest advantage is their depth. 

Six players scored six or more points against Maryland and eight players played eight minutes or more. 

“It’s our biggest strength,” Golden said. “We go nine deep. With Micah (Handlogten) coming back, I have equated it to kind of getting a deadline trade deal done. Him coming back when he did was huge for us.

“This time of year, having that depth is incredible.”

WILL CHANCE MCMILLIAN PLAY?

Texas Tech guard and Vallejo native Chance McMillian missed his fourth straight game with an oblique injury on Thursday and will again be a game-time decision, according to McCasland. 

The senior is Texas Tech’s third leading scorer and a 41% shooter from the 3-point line.

McCasland said McMillian participated in Texas Tech’s pregame shoot around on Thursday and was expected to play in some capacity. But he was scratched from the lineup after he told McCasland he didn’t feel right. 

“We’re just trying to give him confidence that he can do it and trying to support him as best we can,” McCasland said.

Originally Published: March 28, 2025 at 5:55 PM PDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers want to pump the brakes on drivers exceeding the speed limit.

A new bill looks to increase the penalties for so-called super speeders. House Bill 351 defines super speeders as anyone driving 50 mph or more over the speed limit or driving 100 mph. Representative Susan Plasencia introduced the bill.

Why you should care:

The first offense could land you in jail for up to 90 days, or a fine of $500, or both. The second time, you could go to jail for up to six months, pay a fine of at least $5,000, or face both jail time and the fine.

You’ll also get your license suspended for one year. 

READ: Accused driver offered plea deal for DUI crash that killed 19-year-old motorcyclist

In Orange County in January, deputies cited 101 drivers for going 100 miles per hour or more. In January of last year, they cited 29. Orange County Sheriff John Mina is a big supporter of the bill and says one of his priorities this year is to push for a law to increase penalties for super speeders.

What they’re saying:

“We put these signs out all the time that say, ‘Hey, you know, drive like your kids live here,’” Sheriff Mina said. “And if you’re going that fast in a residential area, that’s what I as a parent and that’s where most residents are concerned, you know, you’re going to hit a kid. You’re going to hit a dog. You’re going to you’re going to kill somewhere,” Sheriff Mina said. 

What’s next:

The bill is currently in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. If the bill is passed and the governor signs it into law, it will go into effect July 1. 

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