TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — A spot in the Sweet 16 will be on the line Sunday when seed Texas Tech faces seed Alabama in a second-round NCAA Tournament men’s basketball game at Amalie Arena.

The Crimson Tide (24-9) enter as a slight favorite, boasting a high-powered offense that overwhelmed Hofstra 90-70 in the first round. Alabama is led by dynamic guard Labaron Philon, who scored 29 points and dished seven assists in the win. Philon has averaged 25.4 points over his last five games, including a 28-point effort in a narrow loss to Mississippi on March 13.

The Red Raiders (23-10) advanced with a convincing 91-71 victory over Akron, powered by a balanced attack. Guard Christian Anderson scored 18 points with five assists, while Jaylen Petty added a team-high 24 points. Anderson has been a consistent catalyst for Texas Tech, logging 40 minutes in three of the last six games and posting a 31-point, 7-assist performance in a win over Cincinnati on Feb. 24.

This matchup pits Alabama’s potent scoring—they have surpassed 90 points in four of their last ten games—against a Texas Tech team that has shown both explosive potential and occasional struggles. The Red Raiders’ recent results include a 100-point outing against Kansas State but also a 53-point offensive performance in a loss to Iowa State on March 12.

The over/under for the game is set at 165, suggesting a fast-paced, high-scoring affair that favors Alabama’s typical style. The Crimson Tide’s ability to score in bunches will be tested by a Texas Tech defense that held Akron to 71 points and has shown flashes of stifling efficiency.

Alabama holds a narrow edge in season record and seeding, but Texas Tech has proven capable of winning away from home, including an overtime victory at Arizona in February. The battle between star guards Philon and Anderson could dictate the tempo and determine which team moves on to the regional semifinals.

Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, with the winner advancing in the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.