Texas Tech Basketball: Keys for Sweet 16 matchup against Michigan

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 24: (L-R) 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) /

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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates his team’s 78-58 victory over the Buffalo Bulls with teammate Norense Odiase #32 after the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

After defeating Buffalo in the Round of 32, Texas Tech Basketball is heading to their second-consecutive Sweet Sixteen against the Michigan Wolverines. Here are three keys for the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech Basketball is heading to another Sweet Sixteen, this time after a blowout of the Buffalo Bulls in the Round of 32. It was a characteristic performance from the Red Raiders, as their hot offense and potent defense made life impossible for the Bulls, leading the way to an easy win.

Jarrett Culver scored 16 points and grabbed ten boards, but it was much more of a team effort if anything for Texas Tech, as all five starters scored in double digits. Additionally, big man Norense Odiase grabbed 15 rebounds, pacing the Red Raiders to the win.

Now, Texas Tech meets its biggest challenge of the season in the form of the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan too won their first two games of the tournament easily, knocking off Montana in the first round, and Florida in the second round.

The Wolverines are favored as the two seed, but on paper, it is a much more even matchup that actually favors the Red Raiders in several areas.

However, Thursday’s game is by no means a breeze for Texas Tech. Michigan’s experience and poise pose a major threat to the Red Raiders’ Elite Eight hopes, which sets up for a potentially tight and exciting game.

In order for Texas Tech to play on in the tournament, they’ll have to excel in certain areas against the Wolverines. Here are three keys in particular for the Red Raiders, as they look to advance to the Elite Eight with a win on Thursday.

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