Alabama basketball crashes party on glass to make Sweet 16: Five observations

TAMPA — Oh, what a night. December 1963. Ironically, the date bearing the namesake of the song by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons was the last time Texas Tech beat Alabama basketball .

Sixty-three years later, the Red Raiders proved a one-hit wonder against the Crimson Tide at Benchmark International Arena as No. 4 seed Alabama (25-9) dominated No. 5 seed Texas Tech, 90-65, on Sunday, March 22.

Despite no Aden Holloway, who was arrested for drug-related charges before Alabama’s sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament run began, his teammates made up for the absence of the squad’s best sniper from 3-point range. Totaling a team-high 24 points, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. led UA’s arc operation with six triples as the team finished 19-for-42.

Here are five instant takeaways: LOOKING AHEAD: When is first court date for Alabama basketball guard Aden Holloway? REQUIRED READING: How Houston Mallette led Alabama basketball through Aden Holloway adversity Early run sets Alabama basketball up for success As Texas Tech went scoreless for 2:35, Alabama went on a 9-0 run, sparked by a Houston Mallette three, to take a 10-7 lead. Labaron Philon contributed with a triple, too, as Aiden Sherrell offered a two-point basket and Wrightsell chipped in from the free throw line.