Texas Tech basketball: Numbers to know as Tech heads to Stillwater

Both teams have shot 486 three-pointers, but that’s where the similarities end

When it comes to the three-point line, Tech and OSU have one amazing similarity and one huge difference.  It’s quite odd to think that this far into the season, both teams have shot the exact same number of shots from behind the arc, 486.  But they are experiencing success at tremendously different rates.

A recent hot streak that’s seen Tech make at least nine three-pointers in three of the last four games has pushed the Red Raiders to the top of the conference in three-point FG percentage at 35.6%.  However, OSU is shooting just 30.2% as a team, second-worst in the Big 12.

That’s surprising given that the Cowboys have both Lindy Waters and Thomas Dziagwa on the roster, both of whom were among the best outside shooters in the league a year ago.  But while Dziagwa is shooting 40% from deep this season, Waters has seen his outside shooting drop from 44.8% last year to 33.7% this year.

That duo has combined for 91 made threes thus far with 56 coming from Dziagwa.  No other player on the OSU roster has made more than the 17 of Cameron McGriff.

We all know that teams shoot better from behind the arc at home.  That’s always a concern when facing OSU because Waters and Dziagwa can carry their team if they get hot.

Fortunately, neither of the two dangerous OSU outside threats are appreciably better at home than on the road.  In fact, Dziagwa is actually shooting worse in Stillwater (36.6%).

In round one between these squads, each made nine threes.  Tech shot slightly better (37.5% to 33.3%) and if that can continue today, it will be tough for OSU to keep pace.