Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Analysis

Texas Tech is playing without their best player JT Toppin (21.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG), who's been out since mid-February with an ACL tear. While TTU shot lights-out from three (55%) in their opener vs Akron, Alabama brings superior overall talent as the higher seed. Alabama's offense (91.7 PPG) is significantly more explosive than Texas Tech's (80.4 PPG), and Labaron Philon Jr. has been excellent (29 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast in the opener). TTU's defense is better, but losing your leading scorer in March is devastating. The market has this as essentially a pick'em, but Alabama's higher seeding, better offensive firepower, and TTU's major injury loss give the Tide the edge in what should be a close game.