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) /

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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Nick Perkins #33 of the Buffalo Bulls has his shot blocked by Tariq Owens #11 and Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of 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) /

1. 70 points is the key mark for this game

As mentioned earlier, these are the two best defensive teams not named Virginia in the country, with neither giving up more than 60 ppg on the season. It’s incredibly impressive when you consider that Texas Tech consistently limited Big 12 opponents way under their season average, while Michigan successfully dealt with the great scorers in the Big Ten such as Carsen Edwards, Cassius Winston and Ethan Happ.

The Red Raiders held Duke to just 69 points, their second-lowest scoring output of the season. As for the Wolverines, they not only limited the defending national champions Villanova to just 46 points in their victory earlier in the season, another No. 1 seed from the ACC struggled against Coach Beilein’s team in North Carolina, who managed just 67 points.

Both teams prefer to slow the pace down a bit, with their offensive averages being middle of the pack. One key difference is that Texas Tech is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country. In a game where there doesn’t figure to be a lot a scoring, an advantage from long-range could give a decisive edge to the Big 12 team.

This game could very well end up in the 50s and 60s but if either team can make it to 70 points, they’ll more than likely win. Both teams are just 1-4 when giving up 70 or more, with the one Red Raiders victory coming in overtime. Most of the other Sweet 16 games will eclipse that mark but this one seems to be the exception. This will be a true “dog fight”.

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