Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech basketball: Top 5 plays of NCAA Tournament thus far

By Matthew Conner

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives to the basket against Brandon Clarke #15 and Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives to the basket against Brandon Clarke #15 and Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Jarrett Culver uses some English to score against Michigan

A case could be made that sophomore Jarrett Culver is the best Red Raider in regards to finishing at the rim since Andre Emmett.  And that skill has been on display quite often in the NCAA Tournament.

Culver’s ability to drive the ball to the rim has been a huge component of the Texas Tech offense.  And in the Sweet 16 game with Michigan, the Lubbock native had one of the prettiest reverse layups of the year.

In Tech’s second-half demolition of the Wolverines, Culver took a beautiful left-handed feed from Matt Mooney, (exactly the same type of pass that Mooney used to connect with Owens on the play against Gonzaga mentioned previously) spun away from his defender and made a beautiful reverse layup putting some incredible English on the ball to spin it off the top of the square.

https://twitter.com/marchmadness/status/1111472058221789185

Making the play even more impressive is the fact that he absorbed contact but was still able to finish the play for an old-fashioned 3-point opportunity.  This is an example of an important aspect of Culver’s development that has not been as publicized this season; his strength.

After feeling like he was pushed around by Villanova in last year’s Elite 8 loss, Cluver dedicated himself to getting stronger this offseason and plays such as this are the product of his work in the weight room.

It is plays like this that have NBA scouts salivating over the Big 12 Player of the Year.  Now with the strength necessary to muscle his way to the basket, Texas Tech’s best player has made himself into a player that can do everything on the court and it has shown this March.

Home/Texas Tech Basketball