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Texas Tech basketball: What to know about Montana State

By Matthew Conner

Mar 12, 2022; Boise, Idaho, USA; Montana State Bobcats celebrates at the conclusion of the second half against the Northern Colorado Bears during the Big Sky Conference Championship game at Idaho Central Arena. Montana State defeats Northern Colorado 87-66. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2022; Boise, Idaho, USA; Montana State Bobcats celebrates at the conclusion of the second half against the Northern Colorado Bears during the Big Sky Conference Championship game at Idaho Central Arena. Montana State defeats Northern Colorado 87-66. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Montana State Bobcats guard Patrick McMahon (10) shoots the ball during practice before the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Montana State Bobcats guard Patrick McMahon (10) shoots the ball during practice before the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Montana State is a dangerous team from 3-point range

Usually, when a double-digit seed pulls off a huge upset, the 3-point shot plays a significant factor.  In fact, that can be what levels the playing field for an underdog squad.

Unfortunately, Texas Tech has struggled at times to defend quality 3-point shooting teams this season.  So the fact that Montana State shoots it well from outside is not ideal.

Hitting at 36.9% from beyond the arc as a team, MSU is the 37th-best 3-point shooting team in the NCAA.  Might that be how they counteract Tech’s size and athleticism advantage?

In the loss to Colorado, MSU was 12-30 (40%) from deep which helped them stay in the game despite losing the rebounding battle 38-29.  Could that be the same formula they try to follow against the Red Raiders?

Each of the Bobcats’ top six scorers shoots the ball at 34.4% or better from downtown. (However, one of those players has attempted only six 3’s on the season so his stats don’t really count in that regard.)  Thus, the deep shot could stress a Red Raider defense that gives up some open looks from distance and which has been beaten by some hot shooting from 3-point range with regularity this season.

6-foot-8 guard Tyler Patterson (who wears No. 11) is a player to keep an eye on.  This year, he leads MSU with 63 made 3-pointers while shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc.  The second-year player has a season-high of six 3-pointers in a game and eight times this season he’s made at least four 3’s.

In Big 12 play, Tech allowed teams to shoot 33% from deep, which was good for only 7th in the league.  Meanwhile, Tech shot only 28%, dead last in the conference.  Thus, Montana State might be looking at the 3-point line as an area where they can make up some ground in this contest.  That’s certainly going to be an area to keep an eye on when these teams lock horns.

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