Florida Gators vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Picks and Predictions March 29th 2025

Florida Strives to Continue ‘Surreal’ Run in Elite Eight vs. Texas Tech

The Florida Gators are chasing history and playing like a team on a mission. After dismantling fourth-seeded Maryland 87-71 in the Sweet 16, the top seed in the West Regional is one win away from a Final Four appearance and continues to prove why many consider them the best team in the country.

Standing in their way? The resilient and never-out-of-it Texas Tech Red Raiders.

After clawing back from a 16-point deficit to beat Arkansas in overtime, third-seeded Texas Tech is riding its own wave of belief and momentum heading into Saturday’s Elite Eight clash in San Francisco.

“Man, can they score,” Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland said about Florida. “And they have a plan that I think they execute as well as anybody in the country.”

McCasland, fresh off his first trip to the Elite Eight, understands what lies ahead.

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“This is what you sign up for when you play in the NCAA Tournament,” he added. “You want the opportunity to play the best.”

Gators Firing on All Cylinders

Florida (33-4) is peaking at just the right time, riding a nine-game winning streak that includes an SEC Tournament title. The trio of senior leaders—Will Richard, Alijah Martin, and Walter Clayton Jr.—once again led the charge in the victory over Maryland, combining for 42 points and showing off the poise and cohesion that have defined Florida’s run.

Head coach Todd Golden isn’t taking any of it for granted.

“It’s surreal, to be honest,” Golden said. “The thing that I keep kind of going back to is that selfishly and personally, I just don’t want it to end. We have a uniquely tight group.”

Florida’s depth was also on display with the bench contributing 29 points, including a spark from Denzel Aberdeen, who scored 12. The Gators’ only moment of concern came when big man Alex Condon left the game after tweaking his ankle. But Condon, who averages nearly a double-double, said he expects to be ready for Saturday’s contest.

The team’s ability to protect the ball and control the pace—especially after committing just four turnovers in the second half against Maryland—makes them an even tougher matchup. When the Gators are clicking, they’re hard to stop.

“We’re like brothers,” Aberdeen said. “Being in this moment, being part of this journey, being here, it’s a blessing. But we know we’re not done yet.”

Red Raiders Relying on Belief and Grit

Texas Tech (28-8) has become the poster team for resilience in this tournament. Their comeback against Arkansas was the second-largest in Sweet 16 history, capped by a clutch game-winning layup from Darrion Williams—who had previously gone 2-for-13 from the field before catching fire late.

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“I just think belief is really way more important than what people think,” McCasland said. “These guys really do look at each other with a lot of confidence that we can do it.”

While their offense can be streaky, the Red Raiders’ defense and mental toughness are no joke. They’ll need every bit of that edge to slow down Florida’s high-powered attack.

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One Win From the Final Four

Both teams bring passion, hunger, and purpose into this high-stakes showdown. The Gators are dreaming of a third national title and playing with cohesion that’s hard to match. Texas Tech is determined to prove they belong, fueled by belief and the memory of their comeback magic.

For those diving into college basketball predictions, this game is packed with angles—from Florida’s depth and momentum to Texas Tech’s defensive intensity and fearless mentality. Be sure to check out the latest college basketball picks for expert insight ahead of this Elite Eight battle.