Texas Tech basketball: 5 reasons Red Raiders were able to beat Michigan
Wolverine center Jon Teske was a non-factor in the second half
One of the most puzzling aspects of this game was why Michigan went away from 7-foot-1 center Jon Teske in the second half. The mountainous junior gave Tech problems in the first half as he scored four points, grabbed four rebounds (three offensive), blocked two shots and even had a steal.
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His size was a factor in keeping Tech at bay when driving to the rim and was a big contributor to the Red Raiders’ meager fist half offensive output. But he virtually disappeared after the intermission.
In the second half, he missed all three of his shot attempts as well as two free throws while failing to block a shot or grab a single rebound. And as Michigan took him off the court in hopes of putting another offensive weapon into the game, his absence in the paint was obvious as Tech (and specifically Culver) attacked the rim with ease.
Teske is not a player capable of carrying Michigan, especially on offense. But he was the only Wolverine to create a mismatch problem for the Red Raiders and his work in the first half helped keep his team within striking distance.
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As the game wore on, Tech’s big men grew stronger, especially Tariq Owens who finished the game with seven points, ten rebounds and two blocks. Meanwhile, Teske faded down the stretch as his offensive limitations and perhaps his lack of physical conditioning rendered him an afterthought as the game wore on.