Alabama Outlasts Texas Tech in Gritty NCAA Tournament Victory

March 22, 2026 - In a matchup defined by pace, pressure, and postseason nerves, the Alabama men's basketball team delivered one of its most resilient performances of the season, defeating Texas Tech 90 to 65 to advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. It wasn't always pretty, but it was unmistakably Alabama basketball-fast, fearless, and fueled by timely shot‑making.

A Game of Contrasts

Texas Tech entered the contest with one of the nation's stingiest defenses, a unit built to slow tempo and force half‑court battles. Alabama, by contrast, was built to score a lot of points and in this match up Texas Tech's defense did not slow down the Tide's high powered offense.

The Tide blew the game open early outscoring the outmatched Texas Tech team 49 to 25 making 11 3-point buckets in the first half. The Tide added another 41 points in the second half. Bama was 13 of 18 from three on the day.

Texas Tech has no answer for Latrell Wrightsell, Jr. The senior guard from Omaha, Nebraska led all scorers with 24 points. He also had 4 rebounds.

Wrightsell also contributed on the defensive side of the game – being matched up with Texas Tech's top scorer on the year – Christian Anderson. Wrightsell held Anderson to just 7 points and 1 rebound. Anderson averaged 18.5 points a game this year.

"Trelly's defense on Anderson - Anderson's one of the best guards in the country," said Tide Coach Nate Oats. I don't know if he's ever had a game that bad. You've got to give Wrightsell a ton of credit."

It was a good all-around game for the Tide with several players contributing to the win.

Senior Guard Houston Mallette contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds. Mallette is a native of Alameda, California.

Freshman Forward Amaria Allen contributed 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Allen, 6'8", is from Green Bay Wisconsin.

Sophomore Forward/center Aiden Sherrell added 10 points and 2 rebounds to the team effort. Sherrell is a 6'10" native of Detroit Michigan.

Sophomore Guard Labaron Philon Jr. added 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assists. Philon is from Mobile.

Senior Center Noah Williamson contributed 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Williamson, 7'0" and 255 pounds, is from Riga, Latvia.

Oats praised Williamson, Wrightsell, and Mallette for their senior leadership.

"All three of these seniors came with the mentality we're not going home. And you could tell it," said Oats.

Bama is still without Junior Guard Aden Holloway who was arrested by Tuscaloosa authorities for possession with intent to sell over a pound of marijuana as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.

It gets tougher for the Tide. They advanced to the Midwest Region semifinals against top-seeded Michigan in Chicago next Friday night.

To comment or to ask a question email: brandonmreporter@gmail.com