Texas Tech Basketball: Keys to crucial Big 12 matchup against Kansas

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 28: Jarrett Culver #23 and Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs on January 28, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated TCU 84-65. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

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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) /

No. 1: Allow Jarrett Culver to go off for a big game

Texas Tech sophomore guard Jarrett Culver has been the leader for the Red Raiders on the court throughout the season.

Averaging 17.7 points and six rebounds per game, Culver has carried the Red Raiders all through Big 12 play. His sharp shooting coupled with his defensive excellence have been a great combo for the Red Raiders, and that must continue on Saturday night.

The main flaw on Texas Tech is their lack of a sufficient complementary scorer to pair alongside Culver. At times, Culver has simply played way too big of a role in the Red Raider’s offense, and it has resulted in streaky scoring, and ultimately, losses.

That streakiness cannot continue on Saturday. Whether it be through other players stepping up, or by Culver taking the initiative himself, Texas Tech cannot afford for a bad game by Culver to prove deadly.

How can a bad game be prevented? Easy–spread the floor, and allow Culver to create space, while finding him open shots off the ball.

Culver has the opportunity to explode if this is done correctly. A spectacular jump shooter, Culver will make the vast majority of his good looks. By trusting the ball with point guard Matt Mooney, and other role players, this will become a lot easier for the Red Raiders.

Ultimately, if Culver can go off, with the help of his teammates, Texas Tech will be impossible to stop. Kansas lacks the firepower to keep up with the lights-out shooting of Culver, and all the Red Raiders need to do is to get it to that point.

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