Texas Tech Basketball: Red Raiders keys against Buffalo in Round of 32

Texas Tech Basketball: Keys for Red Raiders against Buffalo in Round of 32

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 22: Matt Mooney #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to the loss of possession during the first half of the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Northern Kentucky Norse at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: CJ Massinburg #5 of the Buffalo Bulls reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2. Contain Buffalo guard C.J. Massinburg

While Buffalo is certainly an above-average scoring team, with more than one prime scoring option, Texas Tech absolutely must zone in on one player in particular.

That player is C.J. Massinburg.

The Bulls senior guard played a major role in last year’s upset of Arizona, and has played an even bigger role in the Bulls great season. On the season, Massinburg is averaging 18 points and six rebounds per game.

Massinburg is a very versatile scorer, and is a lot like Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver in many ways. Given the similarities, it shouldn’t take much for Texas Tech to identify how to contain Massinburg.

One way that C.J. can be kept in check is by having Culver guard him. Culver is Texas Tech’s primary defender from the guard position, and by keeping him on Massinburg, Texas Tech can insure that their best defender is shadowing the top scoring threat on the other team.

Additionally, Texas Tech will need to clog Massinburg’s passing lanes. While he averages just three assists per game, Massinburg will draw the defense into freeing up more than one of his teammates that are more than capable scorers. By putting more effort into game planning for the numerous offensive impacts of Massinburg, the Red Raiders will surely have an easier time containing one of the better players in the entire country.

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