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NCAA Tournament 2019: Key storylines for each Final Four team

By Ryan Kay

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 05: A detail of giant NCAA logo is seen outside of the stadium on the practice day prior to the NCAA Men's Final Four at the Georgia Dome on April 5, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 05: A detail of giant NCAA logo is seen outside of the stadium on the practice day prior to the NCAA Men's Final Four at the Georgia Dome on April 5, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates with Jarrett Culver #23 after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates with Jarrett Culver #23 after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech

Texas Tech may have had a more talented team last season when they lost in the Elite Eight to eventual national champion Villanova. The Red Raiders are comparable to the 2010 and 2011 Butler teams as they have a new up and coming coach in Chris Beard and they have a star in Jarrett Culver. Brad Stevens now the coach with the Boston Celtics and Gordan Hayward also now playing with the Boston had much success at their time at Butler. Beard and Culver hope to have the same success and make it to the national championship.

Texas Tech had three dominating performances to begin the NCAA Tournament with wins over Northern Kentucky, Buffalo, and Michigan. The Red Raiders were challenged by #1 seed Gonzaga but through a gritty and tough-minded defensive performance, Texas Tech beat the Bulldogs and advanced to their first-ever Final Four.  The main reason for the Red Raiders success in the NCAA Tournament is their ability as a team to limit the offensive production of their opponents.

In order for Texas Tech to advance they play a team in Michigan State that has a toughness mentality about them similar to them. The main obstacle for Texas Tech is trying to stop or at minimal contain Cassius Winston. The Red Raiders play excellent team defense and hope to funnel Winston in positions that limit his impact in the half court offense for the Spartans. Culver also must play like a superstar in order for Texas Tech to advance to their first ever National Championship appearance.

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