SAN FRANCISCO — Texas Tech’s journey in the NCAA Tournament came to an abrupt end with a disappointing finish in the Elite Eight match against top-seeded Florida. After orchestrating a thrilling comeback in their previous game against Arkansas, the Red Raiders found themselves on the receiving end of a similar rally, succumbing to an 84-79 defeat on Saturday. The loss meant that Texas Tech’s hopes of reaching the Final Four, a feat they last achieved in 2019 before falling to Virginia in the championship, were dashed.
The Red Raiders, as the tournament’s third seed, threw away a nine-point lead in the last 3:14 of the game. They had staged a remarkable turnaround two days earlier, overcoming a 16-point deficit to secure an 85-83 overtime victory against Arkansas, marking the only overtime instance in the tournament.
Throughout much of the game, Texas Tech (28-9) dominated the boards, turning timely rebounds into scoring opportunities. Their aggressive defense resulted in numerous turnovers by Florida, allowing them to capitalize on these errors and maintain their lead.
However, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. took control in the crucial final minutes, coinciding with a downturn for Texas Tech. “I genuinely believed we had it until the clock hit zero,” said JT Toppin, the Big 12 player of the year, who notably missed all five of his free throws in the game. “There are definitely moments we could have executed better, especially with free throws.”
Darrion Williams, whose steady hand was decisive against the Razorbacks, couldn’t muster the same magic in the closing moments, despite leading the team with 23 points. Two missed 3-point attempts in the last 33 seconds sealed their fate. Meanwhile, Florida executed a flawless 12-2 run, with Clayton sinking two pivotal 3-pointers.
“It’s painful right now,” Williams remarked. “Reflecting on it, we feel like we could’ve progressed further, but overall, we had a commendable season.” Williams and Toppin, along with the rest of their teammates, might get another opportunity for a deep tournament run next March under coach Grant McCasland, if the team remains intact.
The pain of this loss, however, will linger. Williams had a standout performance but will rue those final seconds. Texas Tech excelled in many areas, boasting a 22-5 advantage in points off turnovers and a 23-8 lead in second-chance points, yet every missed opportunity was crucial at this stage.
At the final buzzer, the disappointment was palpable at Chase Center. As Florida celebrated its victory and looked forward to the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas Tech’s fifth-year senior, Kerwin Walton, could only stand by in disbelief with his hands on his hips.
“I just wanted to remain in that locker room forever,” Coach McCasland admitted. “In moments like these, so much unfolds in such a short time because the game tells the story on the scoreboard.”