Texas Tech basketball: Numbers to know for rematch with Kansas State

K-State has 29 fewer blocks than any team in the Big 12

Saturday, the Red Raiders were beaten up inside by Oklahoma State in several aspects of the game.  One was defensively where Tech was doubled up in terms of blocks, 6-3.

That put an end to a recent run in which the Red Raiders had been the more active defensive team in the paint over the last two weeks.  Tonight, that is an area to focus on.

KSU has blocked only 66 shots as a team this year, 29 fewer than any other Big 12 team.  Tech sits at No. 6 in the league with 102.  So if the Red Raiders play the type of defense they are capable of, that’s an area where they should have an edge.

Of course, it all revolves around the availability of T.J. Holyfield.  If he can stay out of foul trouble, the Red Raiders will have the edge in the post because KSU does not have a big man of his caliber.

Holyfield’s 14 minutes of action on Saturday in Stillwater were his fewest since playing just 11 minutes at West Virginia on January 11th.  As a result, he scored only five points and he did not have a single block.  Prior to that game, Holyfield had come up with at least three blocks in each of his last five games.

Blocks and charges are the two most telling stats when evaluating how the Red Raiders are playing as a team on defense.  While charges are left open to the interpretation of the officials, blocks are definitive statements of a team’s overall cohesion and mindset.

We all want to see the Red Raiders own the paint again tonight after losing the battle there on Saturday.  What’s more, KSU is only sixth in the conference in number of 3-pointers attempted so they will look to get their offense off the dribble meaning Tech had best be prepared to protect the rim.

Look for the Red Raiders and especially Holyfield to make a statement defensively in the paint in this game.  If they do, Tech will be back to playing the style of basketball that we have come to expect.