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

1) Pressure Gonzaga’s guards

Part of Gonzaga’s offensive prowess has been their ability to limit mistakes. They lead the country in assist-to-turnover ratio and often take great care of the ball.

I say often because they do tend to turn it over a lot whenever they face a pressure defense.

Against Florida State’s pressure in the Sweet 16, every Gonzaga guard committed multiple turnovers as they coughed it up 14 times. Against the Noles in last year’s NCAA Tournament, they turned it over 13 times. They recorded a season-high 22 turnovers against Illinois’ press at the Maui Invitational and 14 times against UNC in December.

Point guard Josh Perkins has been the most turnover prone against these kinds of defenses, which has been a consistent criticism of him throughout his career in Spokane. After all, he did have seven and six turnovers against Illinois and UNC, respectively.

While Texas Tech is an elite defensive team, they don’t necessarily press or put pressure on opponents. They simply play tough, hard-nosed half-court defense that suffocates opposing offenses.

The Red Raiders do rank No. 11 nationally by forcing a turnover on 23.1 percent of all defensive possessions, so it’s not like this would be a new concept for them. But Gonzaga has consistently shredded opposing defenses with their half-court execution (as shown by that assist-to-turnover ratio).

If Texas Tech wants to get the Zags out of rhythm, their best chance is to apply a little pressure.