Texas Tech Basketball: Biggest keys to upsetting Gonzaga in Elite Eight
By Brian Rauf
3) Jarrett Culver must be the best player on the court
Sure, we can go more in-depth about individual matchups on a specific end of the floor and the tendencies Chris Beard can try to take advantage of with certain sets, but all will be for not if Jarrett Culver doesn’t play like Jarrett Culver.
It’s no secret that Texas Tech goes how he goes. He’s their only player that can consistently create his own offense and is the guy they look to whenever they need a bucket. Culver delivers more times than not, too.
When he plays well and is taking smart shots, he’s capable of having games like his 31-point performance against Iowa State, 26-point game against Kansas, or 22-point game against Michigan in the Sweet 16.
But Culver occasionally forces his offense since he carries such a heavy workload, and it doesn’t always end well. In three of Texas Tech’s losses, Culver shot 37.5 percent from the field or worse.
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Gonzaga has future NBA players all over the court but none are projected to go as high as Culver or can match his talent level. Texas Tech will need their go-to guy to step up and have one of his best games if they’re going to keep up with and beat the nation’s most prolific offense.