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Big 12 Basketball: Key storylines heading into 2019 NCAA Tournament

By Chris Kern

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 25: Kamau Stokes #3 of the Kansas State Wildcats drives toward the basket as Mitch Lightfoot #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on February 25, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 25: Kamau Stokes #3 of the Kansas State Wildcats drives toward the basket as Mitch Lightfoot #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on February 25, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 16: Jarrett Culver #23 and Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders react to made basket during the second half of the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on January 16, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Iowa State defeated Texas Tech 68-64. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 16: Jarrett Culver #23 and Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders react to made basket during the second half of the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on January 16, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Iowa State defeated Texas Tech 68-64. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech’s tough path to a Final Four

Some people will say it isn’t very tough since they have the lowest ranked one and two seed but the Texas Tech Red Raiders will still have to beat very tough teams to get to a Final Four. They start off their run Friday in Tulsa against the Northern Kentucky Norse. Drew McDonald is a very good player so they will need to keep him in check to get the win.

That is a good opponent to start off with but the tough games really get started after that. The six seeded Buffalo Bulls are extremely underrated and they’re one of the most talented teams in all of college basketball. Texas Tech is the better team but the Bulls very possibly have the better players. CJ Massinburg, Jeremy Harris, and Nick Perkins are very skilled and they all are capable of dropping 30 points if needed.

The Bulls will need to get past the winner of the Arizona State/St. John’s game first though. That’s not a for sure thing but with the season Buffalo has had and all the upperclassmen they have as well as them beating Arizona in the NCAA Tournament last season, they certainly will be favored to win that game.

A sweet 16 matchup would likely be against the Michigan Wolverines but Florida and Nevada are possible as well. Michigan is a team that plays similar to have Texas Tech plays with a defensive mindset. Ignas Brazdeikis and Zavier Simpson are two very good players for Michigan that are capable of taking this team all the way back to the National Championship game.

Nevada is a team loaded with talent as well featuring Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, Jordan Caroline, and many others, They made the Sweet 16 a year ago as a seven seed and they’ll look to do it again. The Wolfpack were ranked 7th to start the season and reach as high as 5th in the AP poll. Florida wouldn’t be easy either as they have shown they’re capable of beating top teams with two wins over LSU, one on the road, and one on a neutral court during the SEC Tournament.

Then in the Elite Eight is where they would see their toughest opponent and that’s the way it should be. The top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs are extremely tough and are led by many good players such as Josh Perkins and Rui Hachimura. Another possible opponent is the Florida State Seminoles who are very tough to matchup with due to their size but they also have some guys who make a lot of plays such as Terance Mann and Trent Forrest.

Next. Top seeds that won't win the national title. dark

This time of year you will always be playing somebody tough so no matter who the opponent is you have to bring your A game. Texas Tech is an elite defensive team who has gotten better offensively. They will need to prove they can score the ball consistently but watch for them to come out of the West region.

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