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Texas Tech basketball: What we learned from loss to No. 2 Duke

By Matthew Conner

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils and Matt Mooney #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders chase a loose ball during the first half of the game at the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils and Matt Mooney #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders chase a loose ball during the first half of the game at the Ameritas Insurance Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

The Red Raider defense can keep any offense in check

Last night, Texas Tech faced the most prolific offense in the nation and turned in yet another stellar defensive performance.  Tech held Duke to its lowest output of the season, 24 points below their average of 93 points.

Entering the game, Duke was shooting just over 50% from the field but last night, Tech made life tough on the Devils holding them to 38.3% shooting overall and 15% (3-20) from three-point range.  Perhaps nowhere was the defensive effort more impressive than against star freshman R.J. Barrett.

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Prior to last night, the freshman ranked 10th in the country in scoring at 24.5 points per game but he was held to just 16 by the Red Raiders.  What’s more, it took him 22 attempts to get his points as he went 0-7 from three-point range.

The Devils’ four star freshmen that entered the game averaging 65.8 points were held to just 55.  Even Zion Williamson, who is the projected first overall pick in next year’s draft, was held below his season average.

Tech drew six charges on the night, a staple of Chris Beard’s defense, to help offset Duke’s aggressive offensive approach.  Tech also came close to matching Duke on the boards losing the rebound battle 35-33.  The Blue Devils entered the game averaging over 46 rebounds per game and were out-rebounding their opponents by 9.4 per contest but the Red Raiders were able to hold their own on the glass.

Even after playing the top offensive team in America, Tech ranks second overall in scoring defense at 52.8 points per game.  And slowing the pace of play is not why the Red Raiders are keeping opponents off the score board so effectively.

Tech leads the nation in defensive efficiency, which measures how many points a team allows per 100 possessions (and eliminates the pace of play from consideration).  Tech is allowing just 0.74 points per possession, the only team in the nation giving up fewer than 0.8 per possession.

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Many wondered if the Red Raiders defensive prowess had been inflated by their ability to shut down weaker opponents like Incarnate Word, Southeastern Louisiana or Abilene Christian.  But after making life hell on Duke, the most talented team in the country, there is no reason to doubt Tech’s ability to clamp down on the best offenses the game has to offer.

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