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Texas Tech Basketball: Keys for Round of 64 matchup vs Northern Kentucky

By Jason Kinander

AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Texas Tech Red Raiders Tariq Owens #11, Davide Moretti #25, Deshawn Corprew #3, Kyler Edwards #0 run off the court after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-73 in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Texas Tech Red Raiders Tariq Owens #11, Davide Moretti #25, Deshawn Corprew #3, Kyler Edwards #0 run off the court after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-73 in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Head coach John Brannen of the Northern Kentucky Norse reacts during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Head coach John Brannen of the Northern Kentucky Norse reacts during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Contain Northern Kentucky’s Drew McDonald

While the Red Raiders have a premier scorer in Jarrett Culver, Northern Kentucky has an elite offensive player of their own in Drew McDonald.

The senior forward is averaging 19 points and ten rebounds per game on the season, leading the Norse to the tournament. In his semifinal Horizon league tournament game against Green Bay, McDonald hit a buzzer-beating three to send Northern Kentucky to the finals.

It’s pretty easy to infer that McDonald is both a gifted scorer, and a clutch shot-maker. Both of which are vital when it comes to an upset bid.

Texas Tech probably recognizes that, and absolutely must flush it out from the start. Like the Red Raiders offense with Culver, the Norse’s offense runs through McDonald, and if Texas Tech can limit that, Northern Kentucky will certainly struggle.

The talent balance is much more uneven with Northern Kentucky considering the size of their program, whereas if Culver were to struggle for Texas Tech, a talented secondary scorer would come through big.

Northern Kentucky cannot afford a no-show from McDonald, but Texas Tech has the resources to contain him, and make life impossible for the Norse on offense.

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