Texas Tech and Alabama meet in what feels like one of the best Round of 32 matchups on the board this weekend.
The pair of talented power conference clubs collide after spending the season navigating brutal schedules.
Alabama comes in out of the SEC, and played the most difficult schedule in the country, according to KenPom.
The Big 12’s Texas Tech wasn’t far behind with the highest strength of schedule rating.
Unfortunately, two of these teams’ biggest stars, Texas Tech’s All-American JT Toppin, who suffered a torn ACL, and Alabama’s Aden Holloway, who was suspended after being arrested on drug charges, will both miss the game.
That doesn’t mean this contest will lack star power.
The Crimson Tide’s Labaron Philon Jr. is playing some of his best basketball of the season, and proved on Friday that he can still fill it up without Holloway on the court beside him, dropping 29 points in the Round of 64 win over Hofstra.
Philon has been red-hot shooting the ball of late, making more than 50 percent or more of his shots in seven of his last eight games while averaging 23.6 points per game.
He’s been especially good from 3-point land, making 22-of-49 (44.9 percent) attempts from deep.
Alabama had the best offense in the country this season, and Philon is the engine.
Betting on College Basketball?
With lineups full of studs on both sides, I’m betting on the cream to rise to the top with a big game from Philon.
The play: Labaron Philon Jr. to score more than 24.5 points (-110, DraftKings Sportsbook)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
