Texas Tech has fared well against elite offenses this year

Iowa State

The best offensive team in the Big 12 this year was the Iowa State Cyclones.  They ranked No. 9 in kenpom.com’s offensive efficiency rankings by averaging 118.1 points per 100 possessions and they finished 57th in the nation at 76.6 p.p.g.

Overall, ISU averaged 70.5 points per game against the Raiders, 6.4 points below their season average.  What mades the season series between Tech and ISU unusual was the fact that the Red Raiders won the higher-scoring game in Ames while lost the defensive battle in Lubbock.

In January’s 68-64 Cyclone victory at United Supermarkets Arena, ISU shot 44.6% from the field but just 5-21 (23.8%) from 3-point range.  But ISU made up a bit of ground at the free throw line where they made 13-19 shots.  What’s more, they were able to break the Red Raider defense down with dribble penetration leading to 13 assists on their 25 made baskets.

The biggest difference in the Cyclone’s 73-point output in Ames in Tech’s 80-73 win was that they were able to hit the 3-point shot more effectively.  ISU made 8-19 shots from deep as they pushed Tech to the limit.  Fortunately, the Red Raiders got a heroic 31 points from Jarrett Culver to carry them to a share of the Big 12 title.

Tech surrendered 11.8 more points per game to the Cyclones than the 58.7 the Red Raider defense averaged on the season.  But Tech was not by any means torched by ISU.  Tech controlled the pace of play in both games as ISU shot 54 shots in January and 56 in March.  And most Red Raider fans would certainly be happy if the good guys can hold the Zags to 70 points today.