By: Eric Fawcett -- March 28, 2025 With the decisive win over the Maryland Terrapins the Florida Gators have advanced to the Elite Eight where they will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who earned their way into this game in a much different way than the Gators did. Florida Versus Texas Tech Elite Eight Preview | GatorCountry.com
1. Chance McMillian = badly strained oblique. Recovery time = 4 to 6 weeks. McMillian couldn't make a go of it on Thursday when TT went down big. Even if he tries to play on Saturday, I wouldn't think he'd be effective after 2 weeks and 2 days of recovery time plus having missed the last 4 games. I'd bet he sits the bench again with the hopes that TT can pull out another miracle and then try to have McMillian ready for the Final Four. 2. TT out rebounded the piggies 51-39. That sure as heck ain't happening against the Gators whether Condon plays or not. 3. UF just as the piggies did outman TT at every position. The good big team with depth will beat the good smaller team lacking depth. I'll be shocked if the Gators don't pull away for a big win, say by 20 points.
They play just slow enough that it may cause some problems, but unlike UConn, they aren’t very long or very deep, especially in the post, and they aren’t very good rebounding on either end. They also don’t turn you over much. If we can control the glass and avoid turnovers, we will be fine offensively. If we can use our length and depth in the post to bother Toppin, and if our ball screen coverage can limit open 3s, we should be fine on the other end. I don’t think Tech is as good as Maryland, though they may match up a little better.
I don’t think a one seed can be considered playing with house money. The one seeds are one seeds because they’re expected to make the final four and have legitimate national championship opportunities.
This is right today, but it is a matter of perspective. If anyone told us in the preseason, we’d be in elite 8, I think we would have been over the moon. So for anyone who kept their preseason perspective, it would be house money at this point. Meanwhile, I’ve grown a bit greedy, so I would be pretty bummed to end the ride today.
Uconn, MD, TT are all similar in that they are well coached, play well together and are quick. If you don't defend week they can slice you. Another great effort and we will advance. Play like we're in Alabama and we win the next three.
My expectation is that Texas Tech's Coach will use his expertise as a defensive coach at his previous school. We'll see how Clayton handles it. This could be a close game and they embrace close games.
