Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech basketball: 4 reasons for confidence as Red Raiders face Michigan

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 16: Jarrett Culver #23 and Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders react to made basket during the second half of the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on January 16, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Iowa State defeated Texas Tech 68-64. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 16: Jarrett Culver #23 and Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders react to made basket during the second half of the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on January 16, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Iowa State defeated Texas Tech 68-64. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech has shut down far better offenses than Michigan’s

All season, the Texas Tech defense has been able to shut down some of the better offenses in the nation.  Fortunately, tonight, they will not be facing another elite scoring team.

At 70.3 points per game, the Wolverine offense ranks just No. 224 in the nation.  Considering what Tech has done against far better offenses, there’s reason to believe that Michigan will not be able to light up the scoreboard against the Red Raiders.

As we saw in the first two games of the NCAA Tournament, Tech can take even the best offenses and make them look inept.   That was never more evident than when the No. 5 scoring team in the nation, Buffalo, was held to just 58 points (26.2 below its season average).

Even Duke, the No. 6 scoring team with three sure-fire NBA draft picks, was unable to get its offense untracked against Chris Beard’s team.  The Blue Devils managed just 69 points (14.4 fewer than their per-game average) which was their second-lowest point total of the year.

Additionally, Kansas scored just 63 points in Lubbock (12.7 below their season average) and Iowa State managed just 68 (8.9 short of their season average).  Therefore, Tech fans should enter this game confident that Michigan will not be able to put up enough points to run away from the Red Raiders meaning that even an average offensive showing could be enough for Texas Tech to win.

Home/Texas Tech Basketball