Texas Tech Basketball: Keys for Sweet 16 matchup against Michigan
https://bustingbrackets.com/2019/03/27/texas-tech-basketball-keys-sweet-16-matchup-michigan/
After defeating Buffalo in the Round of 32, Texas Tech Basketball is heading to their second-consecutive Sweet Sixteen against the Michigan Wolverines. Here are three keys for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech Basketball is heading to another Sweet Sixteen, this time after a blowout of the Buffalo Bulls in the Round of 32. It was a characteristic performance from the Red Raiders, as their hot offense and potent defense made life impossible for the Bulls, leading the way to an easy win.
Jarrett Culver scored 16 points and grabbed ten boards, but it was much more of a team effort if anything for Texas Tech, as all five starters scored in double digits. Additionally, big man Norense Odiase grabbed 15 rebounds, pacing the Red Raiders to the win.
Now, Texas Tech meets its biggest challenge of the season in the form of the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan too won their first two games of the tournament easily, knocking off Montana in the first round, and Florida in the second round.
The Wolverines are favored as the two seed, but on paper, it is a much more even matchup that actually favors the Red Raiders in several areas.
However, Thursday’s game is by no means a breeze for Texas Tech. Michigan’s experience and poise pose a major threat to the Red Raiders’ Elite Eight hopes, which sets up for a potentially tight and exciting game.
In order for Texas Tech to play on in the tournament, they’ll have to excel in certain areas against the Wolverines. Here are three keys in particular for the Red Raiders, as they look to advance to the Elite Eight with a win on Thursday.
1. Continue the same point distribution from the Buffalo game
When I laid out Texas Tech’s three keys before their Buffalo game, the most important one was that more than just Jarrett Culver contribute to the scoring.
Low and behold, the Red Raiders did just that. Five players including Culver scored in double-digits.
Against a very similar team in the Michigan Wolverines, the Red Raiders must continue the teamwork that was put on display on Sunday.
Odiase’s double-double was a major x-factor in the win–the big man must continue a break out tournament.
In addition to Odiase’s emergence, Davide Moretti and Matt Mooney must continue to reach double digits, and perhaps even up their production against a better Michigan team,
And finally, Culver would probably like to improve on his low point total from last game. One of the best players in the country, Culver will certainly need to score at least twenty points in order for the Red Raiders to have a shot against Michigan.
All told, Texas Tech did an excellent job of distributing the contributions on offense against Buffalo. While the Bulls aren’t nearly as good as the Red Raiders’ upcoming opponent, staying true to that same theme of sharing will do Texas Tech wonders as they vie for an Elite Eight bid.
2. Prevent a breakout game from Michigan freshman Ignas Brazdeikis
While Michigan freshman forward Ignas Brazdeikis has been relatively quiet through his team’s first two NCAA Tournament games, the young budding star has the potential to explode against Texas Tech.
Brazdeikis scored just five points against Florida, but played by far the least minutes out of any of his fellow starters. If Brazdeikis gets more time on the floor, expect him to be a major factor on offense.
Especially on a Michigan team that has a severe lack of a top scorer, it can be anybody on any given day that has a big performance for the Wolverines. Given his silence through their first two tournament games, Brazdeikis is due.
The Red Raiders must do everything possible to limit a big game from Iggy. Whether it is having Jarrett Culver, one of the best defenders in the country, guarding him, or by paying extra attention to his presence down low, Texas Tech needs to assure that the young freshman forward does not explode for a big game in his team’s biggest game of the season.
Finally, the Red Raiders must keep into account that Michigan can score in many ways. They shouldn’t pay too much attention to Brazdeikis, but at the same time, they have to scheme for a breakout game from one of the more explosive freshmen in the country.
3. Control the Game in the final minutes
I know, much easier said than done.
However, against Michigan, holding the lead means so much more late.
What made last year’s Michigan team so special was their closing ability. Guys like Mo Wagner and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman had a knack for coming up in the clutch, and played a big role in leading Michigan to the Championship game.
Unfortunately, both of those guys are gone. Consequently, Michigan lacks a closer. Big, big issue.
Luckily for them, they have been able to avoid the exposure of that problem by leading big late in their first two games. Against a team like Texas Tech, the lack of closing ability on the Wolverines’ team is going to play a major role in deciding the final outcome.
The only way that Texas Tech can expose such an issue is by leading late. They need to force Michigan to take and make big shots. Who will be taking those shots? Nobody knows. Michigan lacks that “it” factor on its roster, and as long as Texas Tech has the lead in the final minutes, I absolutely love their chances to advance on to the Elite Eight.
Texas Tech Basketball is looking to advance to the Elite Eight, but it won’t be easy against a pesky, experienced Michigan squad. As long as Texas Tech can abide by the aforementioned keys to the game, I think the Red Raiders will be just fine, and will live to play another day.
https://bustingbrackets.com/2019/03/27/texas-tech-basketball-keys-sweet-16-matchup-michigan/
After defeating Buffalo in the Round of 32, Texas Tech Basketball is heading to their second-consecutive Sweet Sixteen against the Michigan Wolverines. Here are three keys for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech Basketball is heading to another Sweet Sixteen, this time after a blowout of the Buffalo Bulls in the Round of 32. It was a characteristic performance from the Red Raiders, as their hot offense and potent defense made life impossible for the Bulls, leading the way to an easy win.
Jarrett Culver scored 16 points and grabbed ten boards, but it was much more of a team effort if anything for Texas Tech, as all five starters scored in double digits. Additionally, big man Norense Odiase grabbed 15 rebounds, pacing the Red Raiders to the win.
Now, Texas Tech meets its biggest challenge of the season in the form of the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan too won their first two games of the tournament easily, knocking off Montana in the first round, and Florida in the second round.
The Wolverines are favored as the two seed, but on paper, it is a much more even matchup that actually favors the Red Raiders in several areas.
However, Thursday’s game is by no means a breeze for Texas Tech. Michigan’s experience and poise pose a major threat to the Red Raiders’ Elite Eight hopes, which sets up for a potentially tight and exciting game.
In order for Texas Tech to play on in the tournament, they’ll have to excel in certain areas against the Wolverines. Here are three keys in particular for the Red Raiders, as they look to advance to the Elite Eight with a win on Thursday.
1. Continue the same point distribution from the Buffalo game
When I laid out Texas Tech’s three keys before their Buffalo game, the most important one was that more than just Jarrett Culver contribute to the scoring.
Low and behold, the Red Raiders did just that. Five players including Culver scored in double-digits.
Against a very similar team in the Michigan Wolverines, the Red Raiders must continue the teamwork that was put on display on Sunday.
Odiase’s double-double was a major x-factor in the win–the big man must continue a break out tournament.
In addition to Odiase’s emergence, Davide Moretti and Matt Mooney must continue to reach double digits, and perhaps even up their production against a better Michigan team,
And finally, Culver would probably like to improve on his low point total from last game. One of the best players in the country, Culver will certainly need to score at least twenty points in order for the Red Raiders to have a shot against Michigan.
All told, Texas Tech did an excellent job of distributing the contributions on offense against Buffalo. While the Bulls aren’t nearly as good as the Red Raiders’ upcoming opponent, staying true to that same theme of sharing will do Texas Tech wonders as they vie for an Elite Eight bid.
2. Prevent a breakout game from Michigan freshman Ignas Brazdeikis
While Michigan freshman forward Ignas Brazdeikis has been relatively quiet through his team’s first two NCAA Tournament games, the young budding star has the potential to explode against Texas Tech.
Brazdeikis scored just five points against Florida, but played by far the least minutes out of any of his fellow starters. If Brazdeikis gets more time on the floor, expect him to be a major factor on offense.
Especially on a Michigan team that has a severe lack of a top scorer, it can be anybody on any given day that has a big performance for the Wolverines. Given his silence through their first two tournament games, Brazdeikis is due.
The Red Raiders must do everything possible to limit a big game from Iggy. Whether it is having Jarrett Culver, one of the best defenders in the country, guarding him, or by paying extra attention to his presence down low, Texas Tech needs to assure that the young freshman forward does not explode for a big game in his team’s biggest game of the season.
Finally, the Red Raiders must keep into account that Michigan can score in many ways. They shouldn’t pay too much attention to Brazdeikis, but at the same time, they have to scheme for a breakout game from one of the more explosive freshmen in the country.
3. Control the Game in the final minutes
I know, much easier said than done.
However, against Michigan, holding the lead means so much more late.
What made last year’s Michigan team so special was their closing ability. Guys like Mo Wagner and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman had a knack for coming up in the clutch, and played a big role in leading Michigan to the Championship game.
Unfortunately, both of those guys are gone. Consequently, Michigan lacks a closer. Big, big issue.
Luckily for them, they have been able to avoid the exposure of that problem by leading big late in their first two games. Against a team like Texas Tech, the lack of closing ability on the Wolverines’ team is going to play a major role in deciding the final outcome.
The only way that Texas Tech can expose such an issue is by leading late. They need to force Michigan to take and make big shots. Who will be taking those shots? Nobody knows. Michigan lacks that “it” factor on its roster, and as long as Texas Tech has the lead in the final minutes, I absolutely love their chances to advance on to the Elite Eight.
Texas Tech Basketball is looking to advance to the Elite Eight, but it won’t be easy against a pesky, experienced Michigan squad. As long as Texas Tech can abide by the aforementioned keys to the game, I think the Red Raiders will be just fine, and will live to play another day.
