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Texas Tech basketball: How the Red Raiders beat Utah State

By Matthew Conner

Mar 19, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Clarence Nadolny (3) reacts after guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) scores a basket against the Utah State Aggies during the second half in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Clarence Nadolny (3) reacts after guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) scores a basket against the Utah State Aggies during the second half in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Clarence Nadolny (3) makes a pass around Utah State Aggies guard Marco Anthony (44) during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 19, 2021, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Mandatory Credit: Sam Owens/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports
Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Clarence Nadolny (3) makes a pass around Utah State Aggies guard Marco Anthony (44) during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 19, 2021, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Mandatory Credit: Sam Owens/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Tech had an 11-0 edge in fast-break points

We knew that the Utah State defense was going to be tough to solve, especially with Queta in the middle.  And that proved to be the case as Tech struggled some in the half-court, especially when Queta handed out one of his seven blocks on the game.

However, a great way to get offense against such a stout defense is to run and pick up points in transition and that’s what Tech did, especially in the second half.  While Utah State had no points in the open court, the Red Raiders ended the game with 11, all coming after the break.

This was a case where Tech’s defense created offense as the Red Raiders forced live-ball turnovers that led to runouts.  Of course, the greatest example came when Clarence Nadolny jumped on a loose ball, splitting a pair of USU players, and then got the ball to Micah Peavy for a breakaway dunk.  That play epitomized Texas Tech basketball and proved to be Friday’s knockout punch.

It will be interesting to see if Tech has such an edge in fastbreak points against Arkansas in the first round given the type that the Hogs like to play.  But as for the first round of the tournament, Tech made a killing in the open court and that helped neutralize the impact of the USU defense and especially the impact of their big 7-footer.

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