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NCAA Tournament 2019: Top takeaways from 2nd half of Round of 32 games

By Brian Rauf

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with his teammates after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with his teammates after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Davide Moretti #25, Tariq Owens #11, and Matt Mooney #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate their 78-58 victory over the Buffalo Bulls after their second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Davide Moretti #25, Tariq Owens #11, and Matt Mooney #13 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate their 78-58 victory over the Buffalo Bulls after their second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

4) You probably don’t respect Texas Tech enough

You – yes, I’m talking to you – put some respect on Texas Tech’s name!

Outside of North Carolina, the Red Raiders are playing some of the best all-around basketball in the country and really have been since early February. They’ve won 11 of their last 12 games and have improved to the point where they have a fantastic offense to go along with their top-ranked defense.

Texas Tech put this all-around dominance on full display in a 20-point victory over a very, very good Buffalo team on Sunday.

Defensively, they limited an explosive Bulls team that was averaging over 85 points per game to a measly 58 points on 36.5 percent shooting.

Offensively, all five starters scored in double figures and won the turnover battle. They’ve averaged 78.4 points per game during this 12-game hot streak, which is way up from the 64.4 points per game they averaged during their 10 previous games.

Jarrett Culver is this team’s star and could end up being a top-five pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, but the Red Raiders are so much more than him. Matt Mooney and Davide Moretti have proven to be fantastic secondary scoring options while Brandone Francis, Deshawn Corprew, and Kyler Edwards provide sparks off the bench. Tariq Owens is also one of the nation’s best shot-blockers.

Gonzaga might be the No. 1 seed in the West and Florida State might be a popular upset pick because of their win over Virginia in the ACC Tournament, but these Red Raiders might be playing better than any of them.

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