Charles Barkley reacts to Florida comeback win vs. Texas Tech in Elite 8: 'I don't think the best team won this game'

At the final media timeout in the second half of Saturday’s Elite 8 game, Florida trailed Texas Tech by nine points. But the Gators mounted a late rally, eventually finishing on an 18-4 run to complete the comeback and advance to the Final Four.

After the game, though, Charles Barkley wasn’t sure Florida was the better team of the two. He argued Texas Tech was.

Barkley pointed out the Red Raiders’ toughness while assessing what had just transpired in San Francisco. He said Texas Tech put up quite a fight and even appeared to have an advantage over the Gators in the paint. But Florida got “a lot of help,” he said.

“I’m not gonna lie, man. I don’t think the best team won this game,” Barkley said on the postgame show. “You’ve got to give Florida props. But if you’re Texas Tech … as a player or a coach, you’d rather lose by 100 than lose a close game. They had to give Florida a lot of help to win that game.

“And you’re going to be so frustrated because No. 1, the physicality those kids played with. They were just manhandling them lightweights down in Florida. They were just like, y’all need to put some rocks in your pockets. … Congrats to the Gators. But if you’re Texas Tech, man, you’re beating yourself up after this game.”

Texas Tech trailed Florida at halftime, but didn’t back down and took a lead of its own early in the second half on a Darrion Williams three-pointer just before the under-16 minute media timeout. That made it a 45-42 Red Raiders lead as the game remained close to start the second half.

From there, Texas Tech put its foot on the gas to take full control of the game. The Red Raiders lead grew to as much as 10 points with 6:18 to go before Florida made a run to get within six with less than three minutes to go. The gap then closed to three points with just over two minutes left.

Walter Clayton Jr. then re-entered the chat. He hit the game-tying three-pointer with 1:47 remaining in the game, taking things to a 75-75 tie as Florida rattled off a 9-0 run. That set up a final minute for the ages as spot in the Final Four sat in the balance.

Williams then hit the go-ahead shot to break the tie, but Clayton again came up big with a clutch three to re-take the lead, 78-77, with one minute left. Neither team had any timeouts, and Texas Tech took the ball back down. Williams’ three-point shot missed, and the Red Raiders were forced to foul – all but sealing Florida’s victory.