Texas Tech vs. Michigan: 3 key storylines for Sweet 16 matchup

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 24: Brandone Francis #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates with teammates Matt Mooney #13 and Tariq Owens #11 in the final minutes of their second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Buffalo Bulls at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1 of 4

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 24: Ignas Brazdeikis #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a first half three point basket while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan and Texas Tech face off in an anticipated defensive slugfest for a spot in the Elite Eight. What are the top storylines heading into this matchup?

It’s been a relatively uneventful first couple of rounds in the NCAA Tournament, mainly due to the talent disparity from the top seeds compared with the rest of the field. The two teams facing off in this game – Texas Tech (28-6) and Michigan (30-6), are perfect examples of that.

Both teams had fairly easy wins coming into the Sweet 16. The Wolverines defeated Montana and Florida by at least 15 points each, while the Red Raiders handled Northern Kentucky and Buffalo by the same kind of margins. These were dominant performances led by the respective defenses, with none of the four opponents these teams faced scoring more than 58 points. While Virginia is the top-rated defensive unit in the country, these two teams are ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Like the rest of the field, the West Region has gone almost all chalk, with the top four seeds all still alive. The winner of this game will take on whoever is victorious between No. 1 seed Gonzaga and No. 4 seed Florida State, in what should be an offensive explosion (completely opposite of what this game predicts to be).

But whoever wins the other game will have to go up against a very stout defense. And there’s a lot on the line too. Texas Tech is steps away from making their first-ever Final Four appearance in program history. Michigan was at the title game last year but believes that they still have the pieces needed to make another run and make themselves the top basketball program in the Big Ten, to the chagrin of rival Michigan State. Those are the off-the-court storylines, here are the ones that’ll be played out on the court.

Home/Michigan Wolverines