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