SAN FRANCISCO — Grant McCasland was not even 30 minutes removed from receiving his first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight when the inevitable question came.
What’s it going to take Saturday against Florida, the No. 1 seed in the West Regional?
“Man, can they score,” the head coach of third-seeded Texas Tech said after the Red Raiders eliminated 10th-seeded Arkansas 85-83 in overtime. “And they have a plan that I think they execute as well as anybody in the country. I watched a little bit of the SEC championship and watched them basically just play their best basketball of the year and heard consistently from coaches that they’re playing the best of anybody in the country.”
Then, he summed up the challenge that faces the Red Raiders.
“This is what you sign up for when you play in the NCAA Tournament,” McCasland said. “You want the opportunity to play the best.”
The Gators (33-4) restated their argument that they are the nation’s best team — and that the program’s third national championship and first since back-to-back crowns in 2006 and 2007 are theirs for the taking — with an impressive 87-71 dismantling of fourth-seeded Maryland.
Will Richard (15 points), Alijah Martin (14 points, seven rebounds) and Walter Clayton Jr. (13 points, four assists) powered Florida as the Gators rode the relentlessness of their three standout seniors to their ninth consecutive victory. That streak included three victories and a title in the SEC tournament.
“It’s surreal, to be honest,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said. “The thing that I keep kind of going back to is that selfishly and personally, I just don’t want it to end. We have a uniquely tight group. My staff has done a fantastic job all year. It’s our third year being together … But the key for me and my staff and our players (is) we can’t afford to take a second of this for granted.”
Gators big man Alex Condon was limited to 13 1/2 minutes against Maryland after injuring his ankle. Condon, who averages 10.9 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game, said Friday that he feels “like I’ll be ready to go” for Saturday after receiving treatment.
On Thursday, Florida received 29 points from their reserves, including 12 from Denzel Aberdeen. When they protect the ball — the Gators had four second-half turnovers after 13 in the first half against Maryland — they become even more difficult to stop.
“I think this ride has been amazing,” Aberdeen said. “We got a group of guys, we all jell together very well. We’re like brothers. Being in this moment, being part of this journey, being here, it’s a blessing. But we know we’re not done yet.”
The Red Raiders (28-8) can be sure of one thing: They won’t be fazed, no matter what happens. They erased a 16-point deficit in the final 10:23 of regulation against Arkansas, the second-largest comeback in Sweet 16 history.
Texas Tech got the game-tying bucket on a long 3-pointer from guard Darrion Williams, who at one point had made only 2 of 13 shots en route to an 8-for-26 shooting night. The eighth field goal was the game-winning layup, made with 7 seconds left in overtime.
“I just think belief is really way more important than what people think,” McCasland said. “And your belief in your team and your team’s belief in each other, no matter what is stacked against you, that you can find a way to win … These guys really do look at each other with a lot of confidence that we can do it.”
As far as self-belief goes, Florida does not lack it, either.
“I think (Thursday) was a step in the right direction with how complete we can play,” Condon said. “Definitely Auburn or Alabama, when we played at (their arenas), is two examples of the team playing well together. And I think that’s the time we’re the hardest to guard, when we’re sharing the ball and making really good plays for each other, that’s the best, that’s Gator basketball.”
