Texas Tech basketball: 3 statistical goals for Red Raiders vs. Michigan State
If the Texas Tech basketball team can reach the following statistical goals tonight against Michigan State, there’s a very good chance that the Red Raiders will advance to Monday’s national title game.
After what has felt like the longest week in the history of Texas Tech basketball, the Red Raiders are finally set to make their program debut in the Final Four. Waiting for Chris Beard’s team in Minneapolis is Michigan State, one of the most successful programs of the last 20 years.
But there is considerable pressure on Tom Izzo and his Spartans. Despite the fact that Izzo has guided his team to eight Final Four appearances in the last two decades, he is yet to capture a second national title after taking home the crown in 2000.
Izzo is a coach that is not shy about discussing his desire to be considered among the all-time greats in the coaching profession. But while he is one of the most respected and accomplished coaches of his generation, he will need to add at least one more title to his resume for him to be mentioned in the same breath as the truly legendary coaches of the game. And at age 64, he may be nearing the twilight of his career making each trip tot he Final Four increasingly pressure-packed.
Meanwhile, Chris Beard is at the other end of the spectrum. In just his fourth year as a Division I head coach, he has already taken his team to the NCAA Tournament’s final weekend. The fact that he has been able to guide Texas Tech to the Final Four in just his third year on the job is remarkable.
It took Mike Krzyzewski six seasons at Duke and ten as a Division I head coach to get to the Final Four for the first time in 1986. Similarly, Dean Smith did not take North Carolina to the Final Four until his fifth season, 1966, which was the first of three-consecutive Final Four appearances for the Tar Heels.
Certainly, Beard’s rise from coaching nomad to media darling has been meteoric. But just because he and his team have enjoyed their time in the spotlight this week, it does not mean that the Red Raiders are simply content to just show up in Minneapolis.
Beard has every intention of winning the Final Four and with this being the most balanced field in recent memory, there’s no reason to believe that the Red Raiders can’t prevail. But to do so will require getting past a gritty, tough and talented Michigan State team tonight. Here are three statistical goals that the Red Raiders should strive for as they look to take down the Spartans.