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Texas Tech basketball: Three matchups to watch vs. TCU

By Matthew Conner

Jan 28, 2019; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot performs on the court before a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2019; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot performs on the court before a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs center Kevin Samuel (21) shoots as Iowa State Cyclones guard Jaden Walker (21) defends during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs center Kevin Samuel (21) shoots as Iowa State Cyclones guard Jaden Walker (21) defends during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Santos-Silva vs. Samuel

If there is one advantage that TCU may have in this game, it could be inside where they have one of the most physical post players in the Big 12, Kevin Samuel.  The 6-foot-11, 255-pound junior is averaging 9.2 points and a whopping 8.4 rebounds per game, the latter of which makes him the third-leading rebounder in the conference.

Samuel has five double-digit games this year.  That includes a game of 16 points and 18 rebounds against Tulsa and one with 11 points and 10 rebounds against West Virginia and their star big man Derek Culver.

In TCU’s victories this year, the big man has averaged 11 points and 9.6 boards per game.  Thus, Tech has to be able to keep Samuel from dominating inside, especially when it comes to altering shots.

At 1.8 blocks per game, the TCU center leads the Big 12 in blocked shots.  Earlier this year, he had seven rejections against Oklahoma State and five against Kansas State.  Thus, it will be interesting to see if he is able to keep Tech’s Marcus Santos-Silva from being an offensive force down low.

Santos-Silva relies heavily on his left-handed hook shot to score.  It’s a shot that’s tough for defenders to get a hand on given how he creates space with his shoulders.  However, Samuel will have a four-inch height advantage and that could make it harder for Santos-Silva to operate around the rim.

What’s more, Tech has to be able to count on its big man to be a factor on the glass against the bigger Samuel.  Of course, rebounding is a team effort and it will be up to the entire roster to block out on Samuel and keep the Frogs from dominating on the glass.  So keep an eye on the paint tonight because it will be an area of high activity where two of the Big 12’s strongest and most physical players will be engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

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