Texas Tech basketball: Numbers to know as Red Raiders face Sooners
OU averages 8.1 offensive rebounds per game, fewest in the Big 12
Oklahoma isn’t the type of team that seems likely to crush Texas Tech on the glass. In fact, by pulling down just 8.1 offensive boards per game, the Sooners rank last in the Big 12.
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Every Red Raider fan knows that Tech has been dominated in that aspect of the game at times this year. So keeping OU from having a big night in terms of second-chance points tonight will be a key.
In round one in this series three weeks ago, the Sooners mustered just six second-chance points off of five offensive boards. Interestingly, both totals were exactly equal to what Tech managed that evening. Overall, the Red Raiders held a 32-25 advantage on the glass.
There simply isn’t much size on the OU roster with their only player over 6-foot-9 being 6-foot-10 Kur Kuath, who played just 8 minutes in Lubbock and has seen no more than 17 minutes in any Big 12 game thus far. Therefore, this rebounding battle will all come down to effort rather than height.
At 6-foot-7, Doolittle leads the Sooners in rebounds with 9.0 per contest. He averages two offensive boards per game and in Lubbock, he had three.
Tech must make keeping Doolittle off the boards a key. Nine times in conference play he’s had at least ten rebounds and if he is that active tonight, he’s going to give his team a shot at hanging around.
The manner in which Oklahoma plays is not conducive to offensive rebounding. Kruger loves to spread his shooters around the floor and allow PG Jamal Bieniemy to penetrate and pitch.
Next. Tech returns to top 25. dark
Therefore, the OU shooters have to come from a long way away to get on the offensive glass. Thus, Doolittle often finds himself as the only rebounder underneath. If Tech can neutralize him and control the battle on the boards, it will do wonders for the Red Raiders’ chances.