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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LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 07: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after dunking the basket during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 7, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 76-58. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

2. Jarrett Culver’s impact on this game

While Michigan rarely has that big collective scoring outing, Texas Tech has had several of them this season. Almost always, it’s due to their star player Jarrett Culver having a huge night. The sophomore has had a fantastic season, averaging 18.8 ppg and 6.5 rpg in route to winning Big 12 Player of the Year. He’s scored 25 against Duke, 26 versus Kansas and a career-high 30 points to beat Abilene Christian earlier this season. Michigan has capable scorers as well but no one is this game can takeover like Culver can.

One of the biggest keys to the game will be how the Wolverines guard him. And they have the perfect answer for Culver in senior Charles Matthews. The 6’6 wing is a double-digit scorer in his own right and grabs over five rebounds a game. But his calling card is his defensive ability and how he can just shut down the opposing team’s best perimeter player. The other Michigan guards are good also but Matthews can claim a top-10 spot nationally.

He’s a different kind of defender that Culver hasn’t seen all season. With the possible exception of Marcus Garrett at Kansas, there isn’t a Big 12 player that plays as good one-on-one defense as Matthews. That puts the Red Raiders in a tough spot if their best player doesn’t get going. They could either force-feed Culver the ball and possibly draw some fouls or stay away and hope that the other Texas Tech players hit some shots early on.

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