Texas Tech basketball: Red Raiders set for toughest test yet in 2023-24

Turnovers have been a problem for Texas Tech

It always feels so obvious to discuss turnovers when analyzing basketball.  After all, that’s the key to any game from the little dribblers level to the NBA.

However, this game will highlight the importance of taking care of the ball for the Red Raiders.  Unfortunately, that’s been a struggle thus far.

‘Nova turns it over only 9.8 times per game.  That’s less than 316 teams in the nation.

Meanwhile, Tech is giving the ball away 15.3 times.  That is the 43rd-most in all of college basketball.

Now, the good news is that Villanova doesn’t force many turnovers either.  Their opponents are giving it up just 11 times per game.

Meanwhile, Tech is forcing 15.7 turnovers per game.  That includes forcing 16 and 17 respectively in the last two games.

The two players who need to improve most in this area are Isaacs and big man Warren Washington.  The former is giving it away three times per game because he’s often trying to make the spectacular play rather than the smart play.

Meanwhile, Washington is losing the ball 2.3 times per game because of the gnats that swarm around the ball when the 7-footer gets his hands on it.  He must be stronger and more deliberate with the ball when he finds himself with it in his hands.

Tech must have more discipline when handling the ball.  The teams in this event will be more capable of making the Red Raiders pay for their mistakes than the teams McCasland and his team have faced thus far.  If, however, Tech can just take care of the ball, these games in the Bahamas will be winnable and they could turn into some positive bullet points for the selection committee come March.