Start time, TV channel announced for Alabama basketball vs. Texas Tech

The Alabama Crimson Tide are moving on in the 2026 NCAA Tournament after dispatching Hofstra for a 90-70 win in the opening round of March Madness on Friday in Tampa. Labaron Philon exploded for 21 points in the second half, and Aiden Sherrell had a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. The Crimson Tide (24-9 overall) opened with a 7-0 run after halftime to grab its first double-digit lead of the game after London Jemison slammed home a dunk three and a half minutes in.

Hofstra cut the lead to five several times before Sherrell put Alabama ahead, 74-66, with 3:55 to play. After the final media timeout, Philon made a clutch 3-pointer. Latrell Wrightsell Jr.

then sped down the floor through traffic for a layup and a 79-66 lead with 2:47 left. Alabama's 20-point lead at the buzzer was its largest of the game. The Crimson Tide used a big game from Taylor Bol Bowen, who finished with 15 points off the bench in a clutch performance that included three 3-pointers.

Wrightsell and Amari Allen both had 11 points apiece to give Alabama five scorers in double figures. Philon had eight rebounds and seven assists to go with 29 points, his fifth consecutive game with 20 or more points. The Crimson Tide won their fourth straight NCAA Tournament opener.