ADVERTISEMENT

Basketball NCAA ELITE 8: Florida vs Texas Tech Game Notes + Broadcast Information

NCAA ELITE 8: Florida vs Texas Tech Game Notes

(1) Florida Men's Basketball (33-4, 14-4 SEC) vs. (3) Texas Tech (28-8, 15-3 Big 12)
Chase Center | San Francisco, Calif.
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 6:09 p.m. EDT


TV/Streaming
TBS/truTV | March Madness App
Play-by-Play: Kevin Harlan |
Analysts: Dan Bonner & Stan Van Gundy |
Reporter: Lauren Shehadi


Radio
Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD | FloridaGators.com
Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley |
Analyst: Lee Humphrey |
Producer/Engineer: Steve Egan


Westwood One
Play-by-Play: Ryan Radtke | Analyst: P.J. Carlesimo


The Tip-Off


* Florida plays Texas Tech in its 10th all-time Elite Eight and its first since 2017, advancing past Maryland in the Sweet 16 with six players contributing double figures led by Will Richard's 15 points. This will be Florida's eighth Elite Eight appearance over the last 20 years.


* Florida imposed its will on the glass vs. Maryland, posting a 42-20 rebounding advantage as 15 offensive boards led to a 21-9 edge in second-chance points. The Gators' depth also stood out as UF enjoyed a 29-3 bench scoring advantage with both Thomas Haugh and Denzel Aberdeen going for double figures.


* Six Gators scored in double figures in the Sweet 16 win vs. Maryland, just the second time Florida has had six with 10+ points in NCAA Tournament play (3/16/2007 vs. Jackson State).


* Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin and Will Richard have all scored 500+ points in 2024-25. They are the second Florida trio to hit 500 points (Clayton, Zyon Pullin and Tyrese Samuel last season).


* First-team All-American Walter Clayton Jr.'s 1,271 points over his two seasons at UF trail only the legendary Neal Walk's scoring output over a two-season span (1,312; 1967-69). His 201 3-pointers trail only Lee Humphrey (226, 2005-07) for most by a Gator over two seasons. Clayton has made a 3-pointer in a Florida-record 59 consecutive appearances.


2024-25 Highlights at a Glance


* UF's second-round win vs. UConn was powered by its senior backcourt trio. Walter Clayton Jr. scored 13 of his 23 in the final eight minutes, while Will Richard scored 13 of his 15 in the second half. Alijah Martin powered the Gators in the first half, when he scored 14 of his 18 points.


* Florida raced to a 51-19 lead vs. Norfolk State and cruised to a 26-point win, paced by Walter Clayton Jr.'s 23 points. The Gators made 27 of their 33 free throw attempts, and 21 offensive rebounds led to 24 points.


* The Gators captured the 2025 SEC Tournament championship, the team's fifth and its first since 2014. Walter Clayton Jr. averaged 20.7 points and 4.7 assists and hit 13 of 26 3-point attempts to take home MVP honors. Will Richard earned All-Tournament Team honors with 16.7 points per game.


* Florida set an SEC Tournament record with 104 points in the semifinal win vs. #5 Alabama. Six Gators scored in double figures, led by Clayton's 22 with six 3-pointers.


* UF earned a 99-94 road win at #7 Alabama, marking the first time in program history the Gators posted two top-10 road wins in a single season. Todd Golden's three such wins are the most all-time by any UF coach. Alex Condon had a career night in the win at Alabama with 27 points, 10 rebounds. He is just the fifth player this century to hit those marks in a top-10 road win.


* UF won at Mississippi State to earn ranked road wins in back-to-back games for the first time in program history. Denzel Aberdeen poured in 20 points, while Thomas Haugh stuffed the box score with 16 points, nine rebounds, a career-best eight assists, two blocked shots and two steals.


* Florida earned its first all-time road win at a #1 team at Auburn, as Walter Clayton Jr.'s 19 points led five Gators in double figures. Alex Condon had 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Thomas Haugh scored 16 off the bench. The Gators became the fifth team all-time to post wins vs. two different #1 teams in a season.


* Will Richard's driving layup with 4.8 seconds left at South Carolina gave Florida its winning margin, as well as its first lead of the game to cap off a rally from 14 points down with 12 minutes to play.


* Florida earned its third all-time win vs. #1 and first in a regular season game with a 73-43 rout of top-ranked Tennessee. The Gators allowed just 12 field goals, the fewest by a #1 team in the shot clock era. Alijah Martin led Florida with 18 points, Denzel Aberdeen added 16, and Alex Condon posted a double-double (12/12).

  • Sticky
New Story Three Vanderbilt Commodores to watch against Florida

Three Vanderbilt Commodores to watch against Florida
Hector





The Florida Gators are back home for the next two weeks and will host the Vanderbilt Commodores in a three-game series this weekend. Florida has played very well at home with a 15-4 record at Condron Family Ballpark.



The Vanderbilt Commodores come into this series with a 20-8 record and a 4-5 record in SEC play. The Commodores have a very talented roster with one of the best pitching staffs in the SEC. Here are three Vanderbilt Commodores to watch against the Florida Gators.



RHP Cody Bowker



Junior right-handed pitcher Cody Bowker has been arguably Vanderbilt’s best pitcher this season. The Georgetown transfer was a huge addition for the Commodores and has helped them become a top 15 pitching staff in the country.



In his first season at Vanderbilt, Bowker has made nine starts for the Commodores. He has posted a 2-1 record with a 2.78 ERA, a .191 opponent batting average, 1.04 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched (10.9 K/9).



Bowker originally started his collegiate career as a two-way player but fully committed himself as a pitcher last season. He has a three-pitch mix, including his fastball, sweeper, cutter, and changeup. His fastball sits in the low 90s and tops out at 95 mph. His best secondary pitch is the sweeper but likes to mix in all four of his pitches. On Baseball America, Bowker is the 150th-ranked prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft.



2. OF RJ Austin



Junior outfielder RJ Austin is one of the top collegiate outfielders in the country. The Peach State native is having another productive season after his sophomore breakout season in 2024.



During the season, Austin has played and started in all 28 games. Austin is slashing .296/.403/.454 with 32 hits, a team-high eight doubles, three triples, one home run, 22 RBIs, twelve stolen bases, and a .857 OPS.



While Austin doesn’t possess a ton of power, he’s a good contact hitter with a high walk rate (10.9%) and low strikeout rate (14.7%). On Baseball America, Austin is the 55th-ranked draft prospect. Austin is also the 79th-ranked prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft on MLB Pipeline.



3. LHP JD Thompson



Junior left-handed pitcher JD Thompson is the Friday starter for the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Lone Star State native is also considered to be one of the top southpaw pitching prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft.



In the 2025 season, Thompson has made seven starts for Vanderbilt. Thompson has posted a 2-2 record with a 4.62 ERA, a .219 opponent batting average, a 4.81 FIP, and 48 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched (11.7 K/9).



On the mound, Thompson possesses a four-pitch mix, including a fastball, sweeper, curveball, and changeup. His fastball sits 90-93 mph and tops out at 95 mph with lots of vertical break and has excellent command on his fastball. His best secondary is the sweeper which he usually uses against left-handed batters. On Baseball America, Thompson is the 63rd-ranked prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft. He’s the 65th-ranked draft prospect on MLB Pipeline.

Basketball Praises & Postulates - Final Four Week Edition

Final Four Haiku

Gators passed the test
Adversity breeds team strength
One net cut remains

Praises:
* Start with Stricklin - Hiring Golden will be his legacy as Donovan's was Foley's. Easy to forget that Golden was from west coast and lost first round to Murray St and Coact Matt McMahon (who went to LSU) and was the hot coach. Also finding someone who embraced the analytics was key.

* Major kudos of course to Todd Golden - he came in with a vision and a plan. He is Florida's Moses - after leading the Gators out of the mediocrity and malaise experienced since the 2014 Final Four. Each year he has been able to learn and add pieces to this final four roster. The completed puzzle piece has led to the team's greatest strength - its depth, toughness and unselfishness. His greatest growth as a coach has been through this tourney run... will explain shortly

* Walter Clayton Jr - It takes a special talent to be willing and seeking the ball when the game is on the line and humble enough to perform within a team concept and avoid playing hero ball. WC has demonstrated when the team needs him most - he's willing to step up, yet cerebral enough to get his teammates involved all the while controlling pace of play.

*Thomas Haugh - Player with the most growth this season. As stated after Maryland game - I predict Thomas will be SEC POY next season and an All-American. When the TT game was most bleak - and the team can fracture - TH's resolve and belief in the team winning - was it's most pronounced. WC might have been the dagger - it was TH's who completely changed the momentum and the "I believe the Gators can win"

*Alex Condon - It's clear Alex is not at 100% and while he might be fighting himself in a battle of confidence - Alex is nothing short of a winner who makes winning plays... from the floor during Maryland game - to completely leaving himself at the end of the TT game - Alex makes a stamp on every game. So glad Auburn is the FF opponent - as one of Alex's best games (and coming out party) was against the Tigers.

*Micah Handlogten - Micah made the ultimate team sacrifice by playing less than 1/2 the season to allow this special team achieve the 2nd net cutting and be in position for final one. His contribution was greatest in stablizing the frontcourt against TT. He elevated the overall quality of the front court depth and allows his teammates to play more assertively - knowing he's available for offensive rebounds and blocking shots on drives to the paint.

*Will Richard - senior leadership, Todd's first recruit and so apropo for Will to seal the game from the foul line. He was first to buy in and such a unsung key cog when reflecting back on keys to a Gators Victory. Can impact the game in so many ways without scoring.

*Denzel Aberdeen - his abiity to add a different dimension to the big 3 and not have any drop off is another big reason in the team's success. Todd can allow his starters to get rest both in the 1st half and the beginning part of the 2nd half - which allows the depth to florish in crunch time. He can score like he did vs. Maryland as well and elevates his game when extended minutes are required of him.

*Alijah Martin & Rueben Chinyelu - both brought a level of defensive toughness that was sorely absent from last year's squad. Alijah's FAU FF experience has been exhibited in knowing when to step up (1st half vs. UConn, leading the D when it's time to hunker down in crunch time). The Gators feed off Alijah's thunderous dunks. For Rueben - he's a tone setter earlier and is that boxer who is throwing body blow after body blow. He's not going to be out muscled and outworked. if someone is going to set up in the paint - I want Rueben defending.

*Florida Victorious, @SRGators, @kcflagator and everyone else who has contributed and made a difference towards the success of this team. It's been loads of fun following this journey - Even if it ends short of a championship (which for a period - might have been as early as this past Sunday) - this year has been a smashing success and positions our program well for the long term. A big THANK YOU!!!! and humbly much appreciation all you have done.


Postulates:

Can't sing the praises of Golden's coaching growth enough - as @kcflagator would say - "He just gets it"... It's the in game strategy and analytics that are implemented that are fantastic. Love using TO's while trailing in 2nd half - where game is see sawing within a certain boundary range - example UConn - where it's called after Gators scored - trying to "bank" the closer score, reset the mental mindset of both the Gators and the opponent - that objects are closer than they appear.

Another TO usage - is using them when trailing outside 1 min and earlier if needed - based on score and tempo. The clock stops after made baskets inside 1 minute and with all the offiical monitor reviews - "saving TO's" for the absolute end is no longer manditory. His use of TO's in the TT game was fantastic (props also to TT coach - who also strategically used all his before the 2 min mark). Golden allowed to substitute Offense for Defense, fully implement and take advantage of the 1:1 situation and extend the game. Additionally those hidden lost seconds between the made basket and the inbounds touching by the opponent are averted by this strategy.

Speaking of the last 5 minutes of TT game. Golden had a choice - let TT burn 25-30 seconds each possession while destroying us in the low block. Being down 9 with no defensive solution to above - got to extend the game. Their frontcourt - especially Oli - is a 70% shooter who analytics showed is more like 60% when 1:1 shooting... Even if he makes both - the Gators can play the 3-2 game and slowly narrow the gap. By missing 1:1 both times - each pair of possessions resulted in 3-0 outcomes and then a 3-2 outcome (which Walt hit to give the Gators a 1 pt lead). Foul till you make it a one possession game - with time in hand - was the secret strategy and ability to execute on FT defense and 3 pt offense (TH/WC) allowed it happen quicker than expected.

One thing that doesn't get enough attention regarding TT's successful ability to dominate down low. With AC's injured ankle - he's unable to set a solid base underneath him - so with TT backing down on him - his ability to resist and defend this action was severely compromised. The training staff have a week to do their best Mr. Miyagi impression - cause it wouldn't surprise me to see Auburn probe this potential weakness.

Florida has had the challenge of being the hunted instead of the preferred position of hunter. The FF will provide the Gators the ability to free their mind of the prohibitive favorites (thank you Duke) and the fact that they only need to bring their road jersey with them - should serve as motivation and reminder that the committee thinks they are not as good as the other 3 and the weakest 1 seed. Wearing the Orange & Blue will provide an opportunity again to feel like underdogs - in an us vs. the world environment.

The Auburn game is not going to be a game of surprises. Both sides know the other so well - from coaching to scouting of players. It will come down to execution and who wins at the 3 point line.

Individual front court matchups - which will be interesting:

Reuben vs. Caldwell - who is going to feast down low? who can get the other into foul trouble and closer to the team's bonus for those hidden points.
Condon vs. Broome - who is going to heal quicker... who will be able to take advantage of the other's injury and be most effective in their team's quest for winning.

What impact will Alijah make? Can he leave an imprint on the game like Urban did in the jungle.

Ever since the UConn game - I thought Todd should shorten his bench to allow Denzel more PT at the expense of Urban... does Todd trust Urban to play 3-4 minutes around the 8 min mark of the 1st half - to steal a couple of 3's on offense and not foul while defending the 3 point line and being strong with the ball while on offense?

How will the game be officiated... after the first foul - how tight will it be called in the paint and on the outside. Advantage/Disadvantage is always the first tenet of officiating - so I'm expecting no blood, no foul in the paint - those rebounds are going to be fun to see who wins those. On the perimeter - freedom of movement and avoidance of displacement will be monitored.

Hidden points and the game's outcome might come from the line - Gators need to shoot over 75% to win (needed over 90 to beat TT). Both sides have FT shooters (Clayton/Kelly) that they'll want on the line at crunch time... So the question is which front court shoots FT's better? Both sides have shooters who you have to watch through the sliver of the opening of your fingers while pressed over your eyes.

This will be a game where I expect a running theme of the score bug showing the # of lead changes and ties throughout the 2nd half. It will be as entertaining as riding a roller coaster. In the end - I believe front court FT shooting will be the difference and the Gators eek one out 87-81. I expect balanced scoring with 5 players in double figures and Will Richard leading the team in scoring with 16 points and Condon regaining his confidence with a double double (14/11).

As a Jewish person and looking for positive stories, it's pretty cool to see 75% of the Final Four teams led by a member of the tribe.

Go Gators !!!!

Prediction Haiku:

In Heart of Texas
Teams duke for supremecy
Gators win shootout

Basketball 🏀GAME THREAD🏀Florida Gators 🐊 Vs @ Georgia Bulldogs 🏀 7:00pm EST SEC NETWORK 🏀

Florida Gators

VS
University of Georgia Logo

Feb 25 (Tue) 7 PM
sec-network_Yc6Qa.png
Gators Sports Network from LEARFIELD
*
at
Georgia
Athens, GA
ATHENS, Ga.Alex Condondressed out Saturday night at LSU and went through Florida's pregame warm-up. The sophomore forward was unlikely to play against the Tigers, but used the circumstance as another workout, another step toward getting back on the floor for the Gators.

That was three days ago, which means there have been several more such steps since.
Condon_Alex__250222_0436_MauraSchaeffer.jpg
Alex Condon Saturday at LSU
"I'm feeling pretty good," the 6-foot-11, 230-pound Australian and team rebound leader said Monday. "Just taking my time with my recovery, making sure I'm not rushing back."

It's been exactly two weeks since Condon collapsed to the floor 30 seconds into UF's game Feb. 11 at Mississippi State. The scenario was alarmingly reminiscent to the one that played out with senior point guard and leading scorer Walter Clayton Jr. at Tennessee 10 days before that. In both cases, the Gators dodged serious injury bullets. Same with the hip pointer that befell fifth-year guard Alijah Martin on Feb. 4 against Vanderbilt.

Clayton missed one game, Martin missed two and Condon (discounting his 30 seconds in Starkville) missed four. Their UF teammates, however, hardly missed a beat.

The third-ranked Gators (24-3, 11-3) are on a six-game winning streak – the run coinciding with those three starters absent a combined seven games – and now look to inch closer to full strength when they face Southeastern Conference rival Georgia (16-11, 4-11) Tuesday night at Stegeman Coliseum.

Basketball Tranquillo....but not for long

Last night prior to watching the Gators I adjusted my attitude. Instead of having pre-game jitters and that nervous feeling of a pit in my stomach I decided: the Gators are a damn good team with a damn good coach so they will play well. if the opponent plays better and wins...oh well, they are certainly a team to be proud of. My pre-game adjustment lasted less than 2 minutes into the game when I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the Gators to make their run. Well their big run came at the end of the game, lots of jitters prior to the buzzer, especially around the 4 minute mark. HUGE WIN
No more pre-game tranquillo for the remainder of this tournament.

Softball SOFTBALL: Rankings NFCA DIVISION 1 TOP 25 COACHES POLL ( WEEK 8 )

1 Texas 29 votes Record 34-3 772 points previous #1
2 Oklahoma record 31-3 698 points previous #2
3 FLORIDA GATORS record 33-5 677 points previous #4
4 T A&M Record 31-5 659 points previous #5
5 LSU record 31-4 648 points previous #3
6 Oregon record 31-3 630 points previous #6
7 Tennessee record29-7 617 points previous #9
8 FSU record 33-5 588 points previous #7
9 UCLA record 32-f 580 points previous #8
10 South Carolina record 27-7 509 points previous #10
11 Arizona record 31-8 439 points previous #11
12 Arkansas record 26-7 previous #12
13 Virginia Tech record 28-5 413 points previous #16
14 Texas Tech record 27-9 370 points previous #14
15 Stanford record 24-6 344 points previous #13

#16 Georgia, #17 Miss. St. ,#18 Okie. St., #19 Ole Miss, #20 Nebraska, #21 Ohio State, # 22 Duke, #23 Fl. Atlantic, #24Alabama and 25 Virginia complete top 25.

There are 12 SEC teams in top 25, including the top 5.
ADVERTISEMENT

Filter

ADVERTISEMENT