Petty's March Madness: Lessons Learned

0:00On March 24, Texas Tech's March Madness run ended with a tough 90-65 loss to Alabama in the round of 32. Freshman Guard Jalen Petty scored nine points with five rebounds and three assists in the game. Earlier this week, Petty led the Red Raiders to a 91-71 win over Akron in the first round, dropping a career high 24 points. That victory proved the team could compete without their injured All-American Big Man JT Toppen. Petty called the whole tournament a grateful experience full of new bonds and mentors, even in defeat. He admitted Alabama simply out-competed them and played tougher. Head coach Graham McCaslin agreed, praising Alabama's aggression on both ends of the floor. He said the crimson tie disrupted Texas Tech defensively and attacked relentlessly, especially on offensive rebounds where the Red Raiders struggled. The loss offers key lessons as Texas Tech rebuilds for next season, potentially without some current pieces and with Petty eyeing transfer options, setting up for a promising future.