Wrightsell, Veterans Power Alabama into Sweet 16 with 90-65 Rout of Texas Tech

TAMPA, Fla. – Latrell Wrightsell Jr. waved his arms toward the Crimson-clad crowd, the moment captured as he celebrated another dagger three that all but sealed Alabama’s 90-65 victory over Texas Tech and a ticket to the Sweet 16. The senior guard’s emotion summed up a night when experience trumped everything inside Benchmark International Arena.

Wrightsell poured in 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting, drilling 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, to pace five Crimson Tide players in double figures. Backcourt mate Houston Mallette added 15 points and eight rebounds, canning five triples of his own, while forward Noah Williamson supplied a perfect 3-for-3 outing for eight points. The trio combined for 47 points, embodying head coach Nate Oats’ pre-game message: seniors don’t let seasons end in March.

“We came out there with energy and effort that wasn’t matched today,” Wrightsell said after the game. “I don’t feel pressure—I feel preparation.”

Preparation turned into dominance early. Alabama opened on a 14-2 burst, stretched the margin to 49-25 by halftime and peaked at 34 in the second half. Each Red Raiders run stalled against a veteran counterpunch: Mallette tracked down a loose ball for a momentum-killing three, Williamson slipped a back-door cut for an and-one, Wrightsell stepped into transition corners and buried them.

Defensively, the Crimson Tide harassed Texas Tech into 34 percent shooting overall and a frigid 16 percent from deep. The Red Raiders never found rhythm against Alabama’s switching man-to-man, managing only two fast-break points.

“All three of these seniors came with the mentality we’re not going home,” Oats said. “Be about the right stuff, lose yourself in the game, and the other stuff takes care of itself.”

For Mallette, the performance capped a winding journey. After redshirting last season and fighting for minutes, the Pepperdine transfer has evolved into a indispensable piece. Oats calls him a “future coach” and hopes he stays within the program when his eligibility ends.

“I told everybody I don’t want to leave Alabama. I will die for this school,” Mallette said. “We’ve dealt with more adversity than any program in the country, but our response is what matters.”

Junior forward Taylor Bol Bowen, who rooms with Wrightsell on the road, said the seniors’ influence stretches far beyond shot-making.

“When they play well, it makes all of us happy with their infectious energy,” Bol Bowen noted. “It’s everything for us, especially off the court.”

Freshmen starters Amari Allen and London Jemison echoed that sentiment, calling Wrightsell and Mallette “big brothers” whose example steadies the youngest rotation in Oats’ five Sweet 16 trips.

Alabama (28-7) advances to face Michigan next week in Chicago, but the immediate vibe in the locker room was gratitude. Another game means another week together, another bus ride, another scouting report—another chance to extend a career.

“You never want to stop playing,” Wrightsell said. “We fought to move on, and that’s what we did.”

The Crimson Tide will need a similar collective effort against the Wolverines, yet for one night in Tampa, senior leadership turned a knockout-round matchup into a statement victory, setting off a celebration worthy of the tournament’s biggest stage.