Texas Tech at LSU: 2020-21 storylines for Big 12/SEC Challenge matchup

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 25: Guard Nimari Burnett #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders handles the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Northwestern State Demons at United Supermarkets Arena on November 25, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

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Darius Days James Bishop LSU Tigers Kyle Sturdivant USC Trojans (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Darius Day and Javonte Smart on defense

It is virtually impossible to get through a Texas Tech article and not have a ton of focus placed on Mac McClung. While eyes will be on Coach Beard and the number of minutes he gives his guard, Coach Wade is responsible to figure out how to slow down McClung over those minutes. In order to slow down McClung, a two-pronged strategy will have to be implemented and LSU will have to perform better than they have up to this point.

The unique aspect about the Fighting Tigers is the fact that they are second in SEC play with nine steals per game, their 8.7 average over the entire season places them at No. 22 in Division I. Despite their steal total being one of the best, the Tigers only force their opponents into an additional four turnovers and are currently thirteenth in the SEC. For the Fighting Tigers, it is a case of ‘all or nothing’.

Due to the Fighting Tigers’ having a below-average team defense a lot of responsibility will rest upon junior guard Javonte Smart to stop McClung. Smart, along with junior forward Darius Days, leads LSU in steals and the Fighting Tigers have five players who average at least one.

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Since LSU will not be forcing many shot-clock violations or forcing travels and double dribbles it will be essential for their man-to-man defense to make sure once the ball leaves McClung’s hands, it does not return. An early indicator of the game going the Fighting Tigers way is if the Red Raiders step on the sidelines and throw the ball out of bounds early in the contest.

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