Virginia Basketball: Keys to taking down Texas Tech in title game
2. Don’t let Jarrett Culver get hot.
As if De’Andre Hunter will not be important enough on the offensive end of the floor, he will also be the most important player for the Cavaliers on the defensive end in this game. That is due to the idea that Texas Tech’s Jarrett Culver is the most talented player in this game. An elite scorer who can fill up the basket in a hurry, Culver is widely-regarded as a projected top-5 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and he is the go-to offensive option for the Red Raiders. And while Hunter will not be the only player tasked with defending Culver in this matchup, he will likely be the one guarding him for the majority of the game.
On several occasions throughout this season, Culver has made monster plays for the Red Raiders. With the biggest game of the entire year approaching, one would have to expect that the will be the one with the ball in his hands for the majority of their possessions. On the season, Culver has averaged nearly 20 points per game and he can score from anywhere on the court due to his athleticism and strong shooting stroke (although he only shot 31.6% from three this year). In general, he is one of the toughest players to defend in the entire country and he is the type of player that could single-handedly win the national title game.
Virginia is well-known as one of the best defensive teams in the country but it is never easy to stop someone who is scorching hot from the floor. Carsen Edwards nearly took down the Cavaliers earlier in this tournament with a legendary performance and Culver has that same kind of potential. And while the Red Raiders do have other offensive options, they are far less consistent or explosive when compared to the star power that Culver brings to the table. He will be the No. 1 player on the scouting report and for good reason.