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Texas Tech basketball: Matchups to watch as Red Raiders face Cowboys

By Matthew Conner

Jan 4, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Terrence Shannon, Jr. (1) dribbles the ball around Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Thomas Dziagwa (4) in the first half Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Terrence Shannon, Jr. (1) dribbles the ball around Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Thomas Dziagwa (4) in the first half Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 8, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before the game against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2020; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) warms up before the game against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

Shannon vs. Cunningham

All eyes will be on the showdown between Terrence Shannon Jr. and Cade Cuningham this afternoon.  And if either one of these future NBA players is able to outclass the other, it might shift the balance of this contest.

Cunningham was the no. 1 overall recruit in the nation in the 2020 signing class and so far, he’s lived up to the hype.  The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder is leading the Big 12 at 19.1 points per game.  he’s also grabbing 5.6 rebounds per game.  That’s why many believe he is destined to be the first pick in the next NBA Draft.

One important stat to watch for Cunningham is his 3-point shooting.  Away from home, he’s hitting at just a 31.4% clip.  Certainly, Tech will want to make him prove that he can hit outside shots today and it will fall upon Shanon to spearhead the effort to keep Cunningham from bullying his way to the rim.

Meanwhile, Shannon is playing his way into being a possible first-round NBA pick this offseason as well.  Despite a 5-point game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday, he’s averaging 13 points per game while also pulling down 4.4 rebounds.

Look to see if Kevin McCullar and Micah Peavy help to bring extra defense against Cunningham in this game as well but whoever draws the assignment, you can be certain that Tech will give him team-wide help by shifting the defense towards the OSU star.  And it will be imperative that the Red Raiders’ emerging star, Shannon, answers the challenge in this game as he has to help neutralize the impact of one of the nation’s best players.

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