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

Santos-Silva vs. the Boone brothers

Rebounding is a huge component of OSU’s winning formula.  They grab an average of 41.3 per game, second-most in the conference.

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Thus, a sizeable chunk of this game’s story will be written in the paint and that’s where Tech’s Marcus Santos-Silva has to outplay the Boone brothers.  Now, I’m not asking him to outplay the Boones as a tandem, at least not statistically (though he has the ability to do that if he plays at his best).

The Boone twins are really interchangeable in their game.  With Kalib (who is an inch taller than his brother at 6-foot-9) scoring 6.9 points and grabbing 4.0 rebounds and Keylan scoring 6.1 points and collecting 6.8 rebounds, they are essential to Mike Boynton’s team.

As for Santos-Silva, he’s had a Jekyll and Hyde start to his Big 12 career.  Being held scoreless with just five boards against Kansas he was a nonfactor.  Meanwhile, he was dynamite against Oklahoma with 18 points and seven boards.

But perhaps the key for him today will be to simply remain on the floor.  Fouls have become an issue for the VCU transfer as he’s had at least four in four of his last five games.

So watch what unfolds in the paint today with Santos-Silva engaging in hand-to-hand battle with the Boone twins.  Though this is not as star-studded of a matchup as others in this game, it could be where the game is won or lost for the Red Raiders.