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Texas Tech basketball: 5 teams that hopefully won’t end up in Red Raiders’ region

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Norense Odiase #32 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks the basketball during the second half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 91-62. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Norense Odiase #32 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks the basketball during the second half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 91-62. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

North Carolina excels in several areas that can cause Texas Tech trouble

Maybe the biggest matchup nightmare for the Red Raiders in this year’s tournament would be the North Carolina Tar Heels.  That is because they are elite in a couple of areas that have proven to be trouble spots for the Red Raiders.

First of all, they are arguably the best rebounding team in the nation.  Roy Williams’ team makes a living on the glass by grabbing 56.2% of available rebounds (5th in the nation).   What’s more, they grab 11.2 offensive rebounds per game (11th-most in the nation).

The last time we saw the Red Raiders, they were giving up 19 offensive boards to West Virginia so we know that will be a point of emphasis for Chris Beard’s team this week.  What’s more, Tech is not a good offensive rebounding team only grabbing 8 per game (210th overall).

Another area where UNC would be tough for Tech to handle is in their ability to drive the basketball to the rim.  That’s because the Heels have one of the best point guards in the country.

Freshman Coby White is not only second on the team in scoring at 16.3 p.p.g. but he also leads the team with 4.2 assists per game.  19 times this year, he has dished out at least four in a game and he is virtually impossible to keep out of the lane.

He may remind Texas Tech fans of Iowa State’s Lindell Wigginton in regards to his athleticism but he is more dangerous of a player because he is more likely to distribute the ball to open shooters than is Wigginton, who is far more obsessed with scoring.  White is one of the fastest players in the nation and his team follows his lead.

UNC is a classic up-tempo Roy Williams team and would put pressure on the Red Raider defense in ways that most teams simply are not equipped to.  That combined with their ability to crash the boards would make them a less than ideal matchup for the Red Raiders.

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