Texas Tech basketball: 3 keys for Red Raiders against Tennessee

Limit Tennessee’s steals

Texas Tech’s unique no-middle defense can be counteracted by two factors that make it easy for the other team to score.  One we already discussed; free throws.  The other is turnovers that lead to easy transition buckets.  And that’s something Tennessee does well.

Averaging 10.3 steals per game, the Vols are tops in the SEC and No. 14 in the nation.  Therefore, that’s something Tech must be keenly aware of tonight.

Right now, Tech is turning the ball over 13.4 times per game.  While that’s average for a Division I team, it is concerning given that the competition the Red Raiders have faced hasn’t been all that stout outside of Providence.  And against the Friars, Tech gave the ball away 18 times.

So far this year, Tech has had only one game in which the turnover count was below 10, which should be the team’s goal every time out.  That one game was a seven-turnover performance against mighty Omaha in Lubbock.

This is again where McCullar has to be key.  Provided that he’s in the game and not saddled with foul trouble, he’s going to have the ball in his hands quite a bit as he looks to facilitate the half-court offense.  But this year, he’s averaged two turnovers per game.

The problem is that the other Red Raider who has the ball in his hands the most, Shannon, is turning it over even more at 2.3 times per game. Between them, those two Red Raiders must be better at protecting the basketball.

Tennessee’s guards are smallish and quick.  Thus, Tech’s guards have to overpower them with their size and athleticism but do so without putting the ball in harm’s way.  If that happens, the Red Raiders will put themselves in position to pull out a win, and hopefully, tonight they can close the deal.