In Tampa nightcap, Alabama cruises to 5th Sweet 16 under Nate Oats
The final spot in the Sweet 16 was decided by way of Alabama annihilation. In the aftermath of No.
Alabama forward Aiden Sherrell dunks on Texas Tech forward Luke Bamgboye during the first half Sunday night at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. ©Jefferee Woo The final spot in the Sweet 16 was decided by way of Alabama annihilation. In the aftermath of No.
9 Iowa’s exhilarating upset of the defending champion Florida Gators, Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide (25-9) cruised to a 90-65victory over Texas Tech on Sunday night, providing plenty incentive for the majority of fans at Benchmark International Arena to head for the exits well before the final buzzer. For the Alabama fans that stayed, the second half was more celebration than competition. The No.
4 Crimson Tide took a 24-point lead into the half and never came close to surrendering it. Both teams reached the Round of 32 under fairly comparable circumstances. They were tested by mid-major challengers in the Round of 64 before dispatching them comfortably, and entered the game without crucial starters.
No. 5 Texas Tech (23-11) lost first-team All-American JT Toppin in mid-February to an ACL injury, and Alabama’s second-leading scorer, Aden Holloway, was suspended ahead of the NCAA Tournament. Their respective opening wins Friday were first steps toward quelling concerns about their postseason ceilings with key contributors, but Alabama was resoundingly the better team Sunday night.