Texas Tech basketball is the favorite in Sweet 16 for a reason

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Starters check out in closing moments of Texas Tech basketball’s win over Drake

Starters check out in closing moments of Texas Tech basketball’s win over Drake

SAN FRANCISCO — Arkansas head coach John Calipari said the Texas Tech basketball team is the favorite in Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup in the Chase Center for a reason.

“They’re very, very good,” Calipari said during his press conference on Wednesday.

Calipari’s Razorbacks have won seven of their last nine games and earned a pair of upset wins last week to stay alive for the second weekend of March Madness. Arkansas (22-13) is the No. 10 seed in the West Region of the 2025 NCAA Tournament and has wins over No. 7-seed Kansas and No. 2-seed St. John’s.

They’ll take on the No. 3-seed Red Raiders (27-8), who have won six of their last seven games.

Here’s more of what Calipari had to say about facing Texas Tech.

John Calipari on defending Texas Tech basketball’s JT Toppin

Arkansas held St. John’s leading scorer RJ Luis, the Big East player of the year, to a 3-of-17 night from the field in the second round. Calipari was asked how the Razorbacks can replicate that effort against Big 12 player of the year JT Toppin.

“They’re two different players. I’ll say it again, Texas Tech, well coached. They can beat you inside or outside, shooting 3s, posting the ball, throwing it to 15 feet, backing you down, making you make decisions.

“The biggest thing with Toppin, he’s a great passer. Not only do you talk about scoring, when you try to do different things, he can really pass.

“I’ll say this, there’s a reason we’re the underdog in this game. They’re very, very good. But it’s a different deal covering this team than, whether it be Kansas or St. John’s.”

More: Texas Tech basketball’s Kerwin Walton living in the moment in final March Madness run

Calipari on his experience in Lubbock when Kentucky visited Texas Tech in Feb. 2020

While still head coach at Kentucky, Calipari and the Wildcats visited Texas Tech for a non-conference game in Feb. 2020….

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Source link : https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/sports/college/red-raiders/2025/03/26/texas-tech-basketball-john-calipair-arkansas-sweet-16-march-madness/82621044007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-26 21:44:00

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