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Texas Tech basketball: Matchups to watch as Red Raiders square off with Cyclones

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 07: Guard Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks over his shoulder during the first half of the college basketball game against the Baylor Bears on January 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 07: Guard Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks over his shoulder during the first half of the college basketball game against the Baylor Bears on January 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 21: Guard Kevin McCullar #15 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders handles the ball during the second half of the college basketball game against the Tennessee State Tigers on November 21, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 21: Guard Kevin McCullar #15 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders handles the ball during the second half of the college basketball game against the Tennessee State Tigers on November 21, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Today in Ames, the Texas Tech basketball team faces Iowa State so let’s look at the individual matchups to watch.

There was once a time when trying to win at Hilton Coliseum was nearly impossible for the Texas Tech basketball program.  In fact, from 2012-18, the Red Raiders lost seven-straight trips to Ames, Iowa.  But today, when Chris Beard takes his team back up north to face Iowa State, he will be looking for his third-straight triumph in one of the Big 12’s toughest arenas to play in.

All-time Tech is just 5-13 at Hilton.  But of course, this year’s trip will be absent the usual packed house that awaits opponents in the conference’s northernmost city.

Also making this trip a bit more manageable may be the struggles of the Cyclones.  Sitting at just 2-6 on the year, ISU is yet to claim their first conference victory in four tries.  And their main problem has been turnovers.

In three of their Big 12 games this year, the Cyclones have turned the ball over at least 18 times.  That includes two games with 21 turnovers.

But on the other hand, that could be explained in part by the fact that ISU has faced three of the toughest defensive teams the league has to offer, West Virginia, Baylor, and Texas.  Still, their propensity for giving the ball away is worth noting today.

Last in the league at a -2.1 turnover margin per game, ISU is giving the ball away 16.1 times per game.  Meanwhile, Tech is no. 10 nationally by forcing 18.7 turnovers per contest.

Thus, it will be imperative that the Red Raiders are active and aggressive because if they allow ISU to run their offense, it could spell an upset given that ISU shoots 46.9% as a team from the field.

So let’s go inside this game and take a look at the individual matchups that could determine today’s victor.  And we will begin with the matchup between Tech’s best defender and ISU’s best offensive weapon.

McCullar vs. Bolton

Kevin McCullar usually draws the assignment of guarding the opposition’s best perimeter player.  For Iowa State, that’s Rasir Bolton, and if McCullar and Co. and keep him in check, Tech will likely win this game.

A 6-foot-3 junior, Bolton is averaging 14.3 points per game to lead the Cyclones.  He’s also their leader in assists at 5.3 per game.

In eight games this year, Bolton has reached double figures seven times.  He had a huge 25-point game against West Virginia and 18 against No. 3 Iowa proving that he can score against the best of competition.

However, the former Penn State transfer is not shooting well from 3-point range this year having made just 7-28 attempts (25%).  But he’s making up for that by getting to the line quite a bit as he’s averaging 3.1 attempts per contest.

One key for Tech in their win over Kansas State on Tuesday was that they didn’t let KSU’s leading scorer, Mike McGuirl, go wild.  In fact, he struggled to a 3-12 shooting night on his way to just 10 points.  Today, if Tech and specifically Kevin McCullar can do the same to Bolton, it will bode well for the Red Raiders’ chances.

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