Florida Gators Favored Over Texas Tech in Elite Eight Matchup

• The #1 Florida Gators will face the #3 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the West Region Elite Eight on Saturday
• Florida blew out Maryland in the Sweet 16 while getting double-digit points from six different players
• See the opening Texas Tech vs Florida odds for the Elite Eight, including spread, moneyline, and total

After a relatively lackluster second-round performance, the West Region #1 Florida Gators (33-4, 27-10 ATS) put on a much better show in the Sweet 16, routing #4 Maryland (87-71) to set up an Elite Eight clash with the #3 Texas Tech Red Raiders (28-8, 18-18 ATS) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday, March 29.

Texas Tech vs Florida Odds

The Gators have opened as 4.5-point favorites and -205 chalk on the moneyline, giving UF a 67.21% implied win probability. The Red Raiders

Odds as of March 27 at DraftKings. See SBD’s list of the best March Madness betting apps before the 2025 NCAA Tournament comes to a close.

The Gators will head into the Elite Eight as the second-favorite in the updated March Madness championship odds, currently priced at +270 to win their first national title since their back-to-back crowns in 2006 and 2007. The Red Raiders are +4500 longshots to win their first national championship in school history.

Texas Tech vs Florida Ratings Comparison

Texas Tech’s statistics in the table above are from prior to the Sweet 16.

Florida out-strips TTU in basically every category, sitting six spots higher in overall Net Rating at KenPom, three spots better on offense, and 28 better on defense.

Texas Tech played with fire in the Sweet 16, falling behind #10 Arkansas by seven at halftime and by as many as 15 in the second half. But a flurry of late threes allowed the Red Raiders to tie the game at 72 and force OT, where they would go onto win 85-83. Three different TTU players hit the 20-point plateau: Christian Anderson (22), JT Toppin (20), and Darrion Williams (20).

Florida, meanwhile, breezed past the #4 Maryland Terrapins thanks to a sublimely balanced effort on offense. Will Richard had a team-high 15 points but he was just one of six Gators with at least ten. Florida also had three players with seven-plus rebounds, and five with multiple assists.

The Gators dominated the glass against the Terps, finishing +18 overall and +6 on the offensive glass.

Florida and Texas Tech will tip-off on Saturday, March 29, at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The exact start time is still to-be-determined.

In a highly anticipated Elite Eight matchup, the Florida Gators are favored over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Both teams have had impressive runs in the NCAA tournament, but the Gators have been on a hot streak and are looking to advance to the Final Four.

The Gators have been led by their star player, guard Tre Mann, who has been lighting up the scoreboard with his scoring ability and playmaking skills. Mann has been a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and will be a key player to watch in this game.

On the other hand, the Red Raiders have relied on their suffocating defense to advance in the tournament. Led by head coach Chris Beard, Texas Tech has been able to shut down some of the best offenses in the country with their aggressive style of play.

In terms of matchups, the Gators have the edge in offensive firepower, while the Red Raiders have the advantage on the defensive end. It will be interesting to see how these contrasting styles play out on the court.

Ultimately, the outcome of this game will likely come down to which team can impose their will on the other. If the Gators can continue their hot shooting and offensive efficiency, they should be able to come out on top. However, if the Red Raiders can disrupt Florida’s rhythm and control the pace of the game with their defense, they could pull off the upset.

Regardless of the outcome, this Elite Eight matchup promises to be a thrilling and intense battle between two talented teams. Fans can expect a high level of competition and excitement as these two teams fight for a spot in the Final Four.