After a 75-66 win over No. 2 seed St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Arkansas will head to San Francisco to face Texas Tech in the Sweet 16. The No. 3 seed Red Raiders are coming off a 77-64 win over No. 11 seed Drake in the round of 32.
Previewing Texas Tech
Texas Tech features a balanced offensive attack with four players averaging more than 10 points per game. Forwards JT Toppin and Darrion Williams lead the Red Raiders. Toppin averages 18.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 56.2% from the field. Williams contributes 14.7 points per game, shooting 44.5% from the floor and 83.8% from the free-throw line. In the win over Drake, Toppin and Williams combined for 53 of Texas Tech’s 77 points.
As a team, the Red Raiders score 80.9 points per game and average 16.6 assists while shooting 47% from the field, 76.4% from the free-throw line, and 37.9% from three-point range. Defensively, they create problems for opponents with 6.5 steals and three blocks per game.
Previewing Arkansas
After battling injuries late in the season, Arkansas is regaining key players. Boogie Fland returned for the NCAA Tournament, and while he has not yet been the scoring threat he was before his injury, he has contributed defensively with two steals per game. The Razorbacks also received a boost with the return of Adou Thiero, who led the team in points, rebounds, and steals per game before his injury. His return adds depth and another key playmaker for Arkansas.
In Thiero and Fland’s absence, others have stepped up, most notably Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile. Aidoo, who spent much of the season recovering from an injury, is now making an impact on both ends of the floor. Brazile has seen increased playing time after Thiero went down and has made the most of it, averaging 12.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, one block, and 1.3 steals per game over the last six contests.
Broadcast Information
Time: 9:09 p.m. CDT
Date: March 27
Location: Chase Center, San Francisco
TV: TBS/truTV