Getty Image / © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
The Texas Tech basketball team faced Alabama in NCAA Tournament action in the Round of 32 on Sunday night. The Red Raiders’ band might’ve fueled the Crimson Tide with pregame trash talk.
Band members chirped the opposing team following Aden Holloway’s recent suspension. That antagonization aged as poorly as possible.
Alabama ended Texas Tech’s season in embarrassing fashion. The band had little to cheer for while watching the Red Raiders get blown out.
Alabama basketball was without Aden Holloway.
The guard was booted from the team after being arrested for marijuana possession. While he contends that the weed was for personal use, there are questions surrounding an intent to distribute.
Holloway’s absence was no obstacle in a first-round win over Hofstra. The competition went up a notch in Game 2 vs. Texas Tech.
The fourth-seeded Red Raiders entered as a slight favorite despite being without a star player of their own. JT Toppin suffered a season-ending injury in February. The team experienced a dip in production without him on the floor.
Texas Tech finished the regular season 3-2 without Toppin’s services. They then saw an early exit in the Big 12 Tournament.
The Red Raiders got back on track by beating Akron in its March Madness opener, but the year came to a screeching halt on Sunday.
Alabama controlled its Round of 32 matchup. The Crimson Tide jumped out to a 27-10 lead early. It led by 24 points at halftime.
The Red Raiders were unable to close the gap. They’d lose the contest 90-65 in Tampa.
Texas Tech entered the season with national title ambitions. Its campaign ended in the first weekend of postseason play. Its band provided bulletin board material ahead of its most recent matchup.
Texas Tech mocked Alabama.
Texas Tech’s band trying to get into Alabama’s head during warmups. #alabamabasketball #rolltide pic.twitter.com/51r5RpHKNc
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) March 23, 2026
Band members were heard chirping the Crimson Tide team as it took the court Sunday night. That trash talk soured like milk.
The game was over before halftime. Alabama will play in the Sweet 16. Texas Tech will watch from home.
While that win gave the Crimson Tide the last laugh, Aden Holloway’s future with the program remains unclear.
New evidence of potential drug transactions could prove to be the nail in the coffin for the star guard’s case. He may face an uphill battle to return to the team in 2026.
In the meantime, Alabama will continue its national championship pursuit in the third round vs. top-seeded Michigan. They’ll hope to pull another upset and move onto the Elite Eight for a third straight year.