Texas Tech basketball: Scouting the Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky spends tons of time at the free-throw line
As you might expect of a team that shots 3-pointers almost reluctantly and lives off of dribble penetration and rebounding, Kentucky spends more than its share of time at the free-throw line. They rank 11th in the NCAA in made attempts averaging 18.3 per game.
Shooting 76.6%, they are 22nd overall as well. Thus, Tech can’t count on a ton of help from the Wildcats if they send UK to the line all game long the way they have so many teams this year.
For the year, Tech is allowing its opponents to shoot an average of 18.1 free-throws per game. That included 21 for a TCU team that was last in the Big 12 in attempts per game, 27 for Iowa, and 35 for West Virginia. In fact, in their six losses, the Red Raiders are sending opponents to the line 23.1 times per game.
What is a worry is whether or not forward T.J. Holyfield can stay out of foul trouble. Tech will not win this game if the Raiders’ only somewhat reliable post player spends all afternoon on the bench while the two 6-foot-10 Kentucky forwards go to work on the glass.
Next. The all-decade Red Raider centers. dark
Eight times this year, he’s had at least four fouls in a game. He’s also fouled out twice. We are already almost certain to see 7-foot freshman Russell Tchewa on Saturday but if he has to play extended minutes with Holyfield on the bench, there’s no way to envision Tech winning this game.