Alabama and Texas Tech both had concerns regarding their roster makeup entering the NCAA Tournament.
Now one of them is guaranteed a spot in the Sweet 16.
The teams meet in Sunday night’s Midwest Region second-round game in Tampa, Fla.
Fifth-seeded Texas Tech (23-10) was looking like a national championship contender until losing star forward JT Toppin to a season-ending torn ACL on Feb. 17.
Still, the Red Raiders will challenge the Crimson Tide in many ways, particularly because of guard play — much of which was on display during the second half of Friday’s 91-71 handling of No. 12 Akron.
“This team does as good a job as anybody as I’ve seen at hunting mismatches,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said of Texas Tech.
Fourth-seeded Alabama (24-9) is without suspended guard Aden Holloway, who was second on the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game. He faces a felony drug charge stemming from his arrest on Monday.
Yet there’s plenty of firepower out there for both teams. Labaron Philon Jr. averages 22 points per game for Alabama, which rallied past 13 seed Hofstra 90-70 on Friday.
“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,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said of Alabama’s Oats. “But definitely impressed with his ability to win.”
The Crimson Tide are hoping that experience against different types of lineups will come in handy for Sunday’s showdown. Texas Tech is bound to want to keep the tempo at a moderate pace, while Alabama likes a brisker pace.
“I would say we’ve just got to get adjusted to how they play,” Alabama forward Aiden Sherrell said. “We play so many teams throughout the season that have a great guard play, and at the end of the day, we had to get adjusted.”
Sherrell had his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 15 rebounds against Hofstra. He’s ready to do more if that’s what’s needed.
“The key will be just trying to make the winning plays for sure, just doing whatever it takes to help my teammates succeed and help us win,” Sherrell said. “Just giving that second effort on every possession.”
Much of the outcome of the second-round game might depend on if Alabama can rebound at the rate that it did against Hofstra (a 46-34 advantage).
“I do think part of what makes Texas Tech good is all the hustle plays,” Oats said.
Texas Tech has had to compensate for rebounding since losing Toppin. It has become more of a group effort.
“I think that the guards since JT has been injured have stepped up for us,” forward LeJuan Watts said.
Watts said Alabama’s 17 offensive rebounds from the Hofstra game caught the Red Raiders’ attention.
McCasland said rebounding is a topic that has been uncomfortable for Texas Tech since Toppin’s injury. He understands why it’s viewed as such an important topic.
“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.”
Shooting from the perimeter might turn out as important.
“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.”
