Texas Tech opens Big 12 Conference play against TCU this morning in Fort Worth at 11 a.m., so it’s time for the first breakdown of the conference schedule.
The Red Raiders will have their hands full with the Horned Frogs strong back-court led by preseason conference Player of the Year Mike Miles who is averaging 18.1 points per game on somewhat ineffective shooting.
One of the biggest keys to the game will be the Frogs’ relative up-tempo offense which is tops in the conference and 67th in the nation, according to KenPom. The Red Raiders have been playing with greater tempo of late so it will be interesting if Tech tries to run with TCU or if Mark Adams instructs his team to slow the pace.
TCU ranks 36th nationally in shortest possession length with their average possession using around 16 seconds of the 30 which could breed a higher-scoring game with the Red Raiders increasing usage of fast paced offense.
The Frogs have been effective on defense with their mostly returning core from a second-round tournament team from last season and are finally getting healthy for the first time this season.
TCU ranks 22nd nationally in KenPom’s defensive efficiency good for fifth in the conference with Tech trailing not to far behind at 29th nationally and sixth in the Big 12.
This season, the Frogs have been pretty bad from beyond the arc, and really average from the field, which usually means good things for Tech. Most of the Frogs points have come from the two-point range this season so the usual defensive scheme for the Red Raiders may give TCU some trouble.
One other key for the Red Raiders will be the offensive boards, something that TCU has been bad at defending. The Frogs give up an offensive board around 30 percent of the time, ranking ninth in the conference only ahead of Iowa State, 208th nationally.
Adversely, TCU is excellent on their offensive end, so Adams’ trademark of defensive rebounding will have its test.
TCU has had a big-time road test against Utah, a KenPom top-50 squad, that resulted in a win, but the Frogs’ strength of schedule is somehow worse than Tech’s. We all know how I feel about the Red Raiders’ non-con matchups this season.
This is where the rubber meets the road, Tech hasn’t played a quality opponent in five weeks and hasn’t beaten one all season. The Red Raiders have the chance to get out on the right foot with a very winnable game against the Frogs today. This is likely one of ~5 realistically winnable road conference games for the Red Raiders, you really want this one today.
Founded by a Red Raider, All Hands Craft Cocktails is proud to announce their partnership with RedRaiderSports.com. Try these bar strength, ready-to-drink vodka cocktails at Jones AT&T Stadium this football season or find them at a retailer near you. Cheers.
The Red Raiders will have their hands full with the Horned Frogs strong back-court led by preseason conference Player of the Year Mike Miles who is averaging 18.1 points per game on somewhat ineffective shooting.
One of the biggest keys to the game will be the Frogs’ relative up-tempo offense which is tops in the conference and 67th in the nation, according to KenPom. The Red Raiders have been playing with greater tempo of late so it will be interesting if Tech tries to run with TCU or if Mark Adams instructs his team to slow the pace.
TCU ranks 36th nationally in shortest possession length with their average possession using around 16 seconds of the 30 which could breed a higher-scoring game with the Red Raiders increasing usage of fast paced offense.
The Frogs have been effective on defense with their mostly returning core from a second-round tournament team from last season and are finally getting healthy for the first time this season.
TCU ranks 22nd nationally in KenPom’s defensive efficiency good for fifth in the conference with Tech trailing not to far behind at 29th nationally and sixth in the Big 12.
This season, the Frogs have been pretty bad from beyond the arc, and really average from the field, which usually means good things for Tech. Most of the Frogs points have come from the two-point range this season so the usual defensive scheme for the Red Raiders may give TCU some trouble.
One other key for the Red Raiders will be the offensive boards, something that TCU has been bad at defending. The Frogs give up an offensive board around 30 percent of the time, ranking ninth in the conference only ahead of Iowa State, 208th nationally.
Adversely, TCU is excellent on their offensive end, so Adams’ trademark of defensive rebounding will have its test.
TCU has had a big-time road test against Utah, a KenPom top-50 squad, that resulted in a win, but the Frogs’ strength of schedule is somehow worse than Tech’s. We all know how I feel about the Red Raiders’ non-con matchups this season.
This is where the rubber meets the road, Tech hasn’t played a quality opponent in five weeks and hasn’t beaten one all season. The Red Raiders have the chance to get out on the right foot with a very winnable game against the Frogs today. This is likely one of ~5 realistically winnable road conference games for the Red Raiders, you really want this one today.
Founded by a Red Raider, All Hands Craft Cocktails is proud to announce their partnership with RedRaiderSports.com. Try these bar strength, ready-to-drink vodka cocktails at Jones AT&T Stadium this football season or find them at a retailer near you. Cheers.
