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Texas Tech basketball: What we want to see in the season opener

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 02: General view of a rack of Under Armour basketballs taken before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on January 02, 2016 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 82-74. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 02: General view of a rack of Under Armour basketballs taken before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on January 02, 2016 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 82-74. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – JANUARY 04: Guard Terrence Shannon #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders grabs a rebound during the second half of the college basketball game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on January 04, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – JANUARY 04: Guard Terrence Shannon #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders grabs a rebound during the second half of the college basketball game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on January 04, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech must crash the boards

Last year, the Red Raiders were not good enough on the boards.  In fact, in Big 12 play, Tech was out-rebounded by 3.5 per game as Beard’s team finished last in the conference in rebounds per contest.

Thus, we should keep an eye on how well the Red Raiders rebound the basketball tonight.  It’s an area of the game that they should control so if they don’t, that will be a major concern.

For what it’s worth, Northwestern State was a good rebounding team last year.  They averaged 38.9 rebounds per game which was good for no. 34 in the nation.

What’s more, the Demons return four of last year’s top six front-court players.  That group includes a pair of seniors and a junior leading the way.  Therefore, this is going to be a nice test to begin the year.

Still, Tech should expect to win the rebounding battle in this game.  And leading the way will likely be VCU transfer Marcus Santos-Silva who averaged 8.9 rebounds per game.

Also, don’t forget that Ntambwe will be making his Red Raider debut and he’s a solid rebounder as well.  As a true freshman with UNLV in 2018-19, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 5.5 rebounds.

Let’s also keep an eye on how super-athletic players like Terrence Shannon Jr. and Tyreek Smith impact the game on the glass.  In all, it is going to be important for Tech to rebound well as a team and show that the glass won’t be an issue again this season.

Last year, the Red Raiders were one of the worst rebounding teams in the nation at no. 284 overall in total rebounds.  That has to change this year so we will be keeping an eye on what happens on the glass tonight.

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