ESPN Analytics projects winner of Alabama/Texas Tech Round of 32 matchup
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Alabama is in search of a fourth straight Sweet Sixteen appearance. After getting past Hofstra in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the fourth-seeded Crimson Tide meets Texas Tech in Tampa on Sunday night to close out the Round of 32.
The fifth-seeded Red Raiders, meanwhile, cruised past Akron in their first-round game. Grant McCasland’s team has its eyes set on a second consecutive appearance in a regional semifinal after falling to Florida in the Elite Eight in 2025.
Whoever comes out on top in this one will move on to face top-seeded Michigan. And, according to ESPN Analytics, Alabama has the edge. But it’s not a runaway. The Tide’s chances of winning are 54.2%.
The main storyline for Alabama coming into the tournament has been the arrest and suspension of Aden Holloway. In their NCAA opener against Hofstra, the Tide had their hands full in the first half as they went into the locker room up by only 37-35. But a 53-point second half saw them cruise past the Pride and into the second round. Labaron Philon had 29 points while Aiden Sherrell and Taylor Bol Bowen scored 15 apiece. Sherrell had a double-double on the night, adding 15 rebounds.
The Kalshi market for Alabama vs. Texas Tech is airtight, as you can see below:
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
