Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball power rankings: Texas Tech emerges as big threat to Kansas

By Tristan Freeman

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 07: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after dunking the basket during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 7, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 76-58. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 07: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after dunking the basket during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 7, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 76-58. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Deshawn Corprew #3 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates with teammates during the second half against the Memphis Tigers of the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Deshawn Corprew #3 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates with teammates during the second half against the Memphis Tigers of the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-0)

Previous rank: 3

Even though it’s just one month into the season, it’s amazing how similar this season’s team looks compared to the one prior. Like Keenan Evans, sophomore Jarrett Culver has positioned himself as a clear Big 12 Player of the Year candidate, leading the team with 19.0 ppg and 4.4 apg.

He’s joined by a pair of double-digit scorers in Matt Mooney and Davide Moretti. And while now of the big men are elite offensive players, they’ve done a fantastic job with the interior defense. Especially Tariq Owens, currently sixth in the country with 3.3 blocks per game.

The defense overall is on the same level as Virginia’s (again), giving up just 53.3 ppg. And it hasn’t been against cupcakes either, with teams such as Nebraska, USC, and Memphis all struggling to score on the Red Raiders. Chris Beard’s team is currently No. 1 in the country in field goal percentage at 34% and although they don’t shoot it that much, are one of the top three-point teams in the country.

The epic battle with Duke isn’t for a few weeks, with a few “warm-up” games coming before. But they better be careful with their next opponent Arkansas Pine-Bluff, who has one of the best scorers in the country in Martaveous McKnight. He’s averaging 25 ppg and is capable of going for 40 in any given night. It’ll Culver’s defense that’ll be put to the test in that game.

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