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Texas Tech basketball: 3 Things to know about Baylor

By Matthew Conner

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 23: The Baylor Bears mascot Bruiser performs prior to their game against the Xavier Musketeers during the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball South Regional Semifinal game at the Georgia Dome on March 23, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 23: The Baylor Bears mascot Bruiser performs prior to their game against the Xavier Musketeers during the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball South Regional Semifinal game at the Georgia Dome on March 23, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Baylor relies almost exclusively on a 1-3-1 zone

In the modern age of college basketball where 3-point shooting has become the norm for most players rather than a specialized skill, teams are using zone defenses far less often.  But Baylor is a team that still utilizes the zone and it will be interesting to see how Texas Tech’ attacks it.

And what makes the Baylor zone even more of a problem is that they prefer to play the 1-3-1 zone with a guard at the top of the key, three players in the middle of the floor behind him and one rangy defender patrolling the back line and protecting the rim. Tech has seen very little of the traditional 2-3 zone, much less the 1-3-1 so tonight’s contest may be another low-scoring affair.

Thus far, the Bears are third in the Big 12 in scoring defense allowing 63.9 points per game.  But that is as much a product of their slow pace of play as anything else.  They are allowing teams to shoot 40.9% from the floor, tied for second-worst in the conference proving that they do allow teams to get good looks at the basket.

Baylor’s opponents have attempted the second-fewest field goals of any team in the conference meaning that teams may find it difficult to initiate their offense against the 1-3-1.   Tech, must play decisively and confidently tonight, which is something the team has struggled with this season, especially when Jarrett Culver is not the one creating the offense.

As is usually the case with any zone defenses, there will be opportunities for Tech to hit some 3-pointers.  Baylor is second-worst in the Big 12 at defending the arc allowing teams to shoot 34.6%.    Teams are averaging 7.1 3’s per game against Baylor which is slightly more than the six per game Tech is averaging.

As always against a zone, the Red Raiders must avoid falling into the trap of just settling for 3-point shots.  That is not Tech’s game and that is precisely what the Bears want to happen.  How Tech handles this unorthodox zone defense will be a key to tonight’s game.

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