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Texas Tech Basketball: Biggest keys to upsetting Gonzaga in Elite Eight

By Brian Rauf

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders speaks to Jarrett Culver #23 during the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Michigan Wolverines at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders speaks to Jarrett Culver #23 during the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Michigan Wolverines at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 28: The Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate their win against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 28: The Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate their win against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech Basketball can advance to their first-ever Final Four with a win over Gonzaga on Saturday. Here are the three biggest keys to making that happen.

Texas Tech Basketball is in the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year – the only two appearances in school history – and face perhaps the best team in the country in Gonzaga.

The Zags lead the nation in virtually every offensive category, including efficiency, points per game, and effective field goal percentage. They play at such a high level that head coach Chris Beard admitted to reporters that he has shown his team a lot of Gonzaga film.

"“We show our team clips of winning basketball. We show a lot of Gonzaga clips — their passion, their togetherness, their courage, how aggressive they are. I can say this early on: No one has more respect for Gonzaga than I do personally and our program.”"

Of course, Texas Tech has the nation’s best defense, making this a classic strength vs. strength matchup. Their defense was on full display in their Sweet 16 showdown against Michigan as they limited the Wolverines to just 44 points, but Gonzaga is a different animal.

Last year, the Red Raiders were ousted by the eventual national champion Villanova Wildcats at this point in the tournament. This year, they are determined to advance to their first-ever Final Four.

What has to happen for Texas Tech to accomplish that feat? Here are the three biggest keys to the game:

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