Kansas and Texas Tech face off in each team’s Big 12 opener. Which top-20 program will start off league play with a 1-0 record?
TV Schedule: Thursday, December, 17th, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Arena: United Supermarkets Center in Lubbock, Texas.
Over the past 3-4 seasons, Kansas and Texas Tech have remained among the top of the Big 12. Although the Jayhawks are no strangers, the emergence of the Texas Tech program has one of the most fascinating to watch. Chris Beard has taken a program with very little Big 12 success and turned them into a yearly threat to win the title.
After sharing the conference championship with Kansas State two years ago, the Red Raiders had a down 2019-2020. A big acquisition for the Red Raiders over the off-season was landing Georgetown transfer, guard Mac McClung.
McClung’s production is picking up where it left off in the Big East, with 14.1 points and 3.1 assists per game. His three-point shooting is questionable and isn’t the best rebounder. However, he has limited his turnovers so far and still shows the explosion he’s had since high school.
Mac McClung is testing ankles 😳
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 26, 2020
(via @TexasTechMBB)pic.twitter.com/5KCc32ceYe
To compliment McClung, the Red Raiders have two fellow returning starters in the backcourt. All-Big 12 Kyler Edwards and Terrance Shannon. Edwards is playing just as well as he did last season, with a slightly better three-point shot. He is shooting at a 38 percent clip from beyond the arc on the young season.
This team’s major weakness is shooting from beyond the arc and turnovers. They are among the worst in the country in both categories and needing to do that well against Kansas is the top priority.
For Kansas, the offense was the major question mark heading into the season. However, it is the defense that has been the issue during the 2020-2021 campaign. The Jayhawks do give up a respectful 67.6 points per game, which ranks 137th in the country. That number also includes giving up 102 to Gonzaga in the season opener.
With all of that being said, Kansas is still among the best in the country and are led by sophomore Jalen Wilson. With the departure of Udoka Azubuike and Devon Dotson, Kansas was needing an offensive threat to lead the way. Ochai Agbaji and Marcus Garrett were two notable names expected to take the role.
However, it has been Wilson that is leading the team in scoring (15.3) and rebounds (8.7). Standing at 6’8, Wilson played very seldom last season, appearing in just two games. He has broken through and has shot the ball at an efficient rate. Wilson is 50.7 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from beyond the arc.
Jalen Wilson has a Stellar Night finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds 💯
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) December 9, 2020
How we feeling about him? pic.twitter.com/i3vdQrxVsQ
In a primetime game against Creighton, Wilson was able to showcase his versatility. Both at driving the lane and having excellent body control near the rim, as well as, spot-up shooting from beyond the arc.
Kansas has a taller lineup but does not have a defensive anchor on the low block, like the last four seasons. David McCormack is serviceable on offense and can hold his own to an extent on defense. Christian Braun is a nice piece and good spot-up shooter and Garrett is a defensive nightmare for other guards.
For a team in Texas Tech that cannot shot the ball efficiently from beyond the arc, this could be a dominant performance from the Jayhawk guards.
A key for Texas Tech is to play with intensity and outhustle the Jayhawks. The Red Raiders’ regular rotation has no one above 6’7 playing and goes with a very small lineup. Meanwhile, Kansas plays with three players 6’8 or taller.
A defensive-minded team that has more length is an uphill battle to face and something Texas Tech needs to focus on. Even if Tech’s offense isn’t great, their defense is elite.
A key for Kansas is to force turnovers at a consistent rate. Tech will not make things easy on the offensive end, considering the Red Raiders give up just 51.6 points per game. That mark is best in the Big 12 and 5th nationally.
Apart from an 11-point loss to Houston on a neutral court, the Red Raiders have had a very light schedule. Consisting of four Southland schools and a SWAC opponent in Grambling. This will be the toughest test yet this season for the Raiders.
In the end, Wilson has a big game and McClung gets held in check by Garrett. Agbaji has a big game and Kansas rolls past Texas Tech.