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Texas Tech basketball: Jarrett Culver’s five best games as a Red Raider

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates late in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates late in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

29 points, 8 rebounds vs. NKU in 2019 NCAA Tournament

Nothing is more frightening for a highly-seeded team than the thought of being the classic first round upset victim in the NCAA Tournament.  That was what Tech had to avoid this season when taking on Northern Kentucky in Tulsa and thanks to Culver’s 29-point, 8-rebound performance, Cinderella was not invited to the Red Raiders’ party.

Culver, the Big 12 Player of the Year, was brilliant going 10-17 from the field and 3-5 from 3-point range.  What’s more, he came tantalizingly close to a triple-double with eight rebounds and seven assists.

On the other side of the equation, life was not nearly as pleasant for Horizon League Player of the Year Drew McDonald, who had just five points on 2-13 shooting.  In the showdown of conference players of the year, the huge edge went to Tech.

Culver set a school record for points in an NCAA Tournament game, surpassing by one point, the effort Ronald Ross had against UCLA in 2005.  And he helped ensure that his team would not fall victim to a second-straight huge upset after losing their first game of the  Big 12 Tournament to last place West Virginia.

In March, everyone loves Cinderella, except for the higher-seeded teams.  And at half-time, NKU trailed just 34-31 after a lethargic showing from the Red Raiders. But thanks to Culver’s 17 second-half points, there was no glass slipper waiting on the Norse this year as the Red Raiders began their run to Minneapolis with a comfortable win.

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