TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — A surging Hofstra team riding a seven-game win streak will face a battle-tested Alabama squad in a men’s NCAA Division I playoff game Friday at Amalie Arena.

The Pride (24-10), the visiting team, enter with momentum after winning the Colonial Athletic Association tournament. Their last loss was on Feb. 14. Alabama (23-9), the home team, comes from the powerful Southeastern Conference, where it faced a string of ranked opponents down the stretch.

The matchup features two dynamic guards. Hofstra’s success is fueled by Preston Edmead, who averaged 20.4 points over the final seven games. He scored 26 points in the CAA title game win over Monmouth on March 10. Alabama counters with Labaron Philon, who averaged 24.2 points over his last five contests, including a 28-point performance in a narrow 80-79 loss to Mississippi on March 13.

Hofstra’s streak includes an overtime win over Towson and several dominant defensive performances, holding four of those opponents under 65 points. Alabama’s schedule was notably tougher, featuring high-scoring affairs against SEC foes. The Crimson Tide scored 100 points three times in February but also allowed 98 or more in two of their recent losses.

This will be the first meeting between the programs. Alabama has been installed as a 13-point favorite by FanDuel Sportsbook, with the over/under set at 160.5.

The game tips off at approximately 7:10 p.m. EDT Friday, March 20, with television coverage on TBS. The winner will advance to the second round of the tournament on Sunday.