Date: Saturday, February, 20, 2 p.m. ET. ESPN.
Arena: Allen Fieldhouse. Lawrence, Kansas.
These two matched up at the very beginning of the conference slate and was as expected, a defensive slugfest. Both teams shot well below average from beyond the arc and took advantage of the points in the paint, because of it.
It was Ochai Agbaji that led all scorers with an outstanding 23 points on 8-11 from the field. For Texas Tech, they were led by the duo of Mac McClung and Terrance Shannon Jr., combining for 41 of the Red Raider’s 57 points
The score was tied eight times and the lead changed hands on five occasions. However, it was an Agbaji layup with 13 seconds to go that would put the Jayhawks ahead. Terrance Shannon’s jumper would not fall, as Kansas would pull out a colossal win in one of the toughest environments in the conference, 58-57.
The hope for Kansas would be to continue the momentum from that win and make a run at Baylor for the top spot in the conference. However, the Jayhawks’ success has not been much bigger than the win in Lubbock.
They have two Top 25 wins since that point, and their win over West Virginia was evened up in Morgantown, when they lost by 12 to a rejuvenated Mountaineers team, 91-79.
The key issue this season for Kansas has been consistency. There is never an expectation as to what kind of game they will play. As of late, however, Kansas has flexed its muscles. The Jayhawks have won four straight games, including a 12 point win over No. 23 Oklahoma State.
They have clawed their way back inside the Top 25 after a one-week hiatus and with a win over Texas Tech, would lock a spot in the NCAA Tournament. However, inconsistency has been the reason why Kansas is in that position.
They are led by outstanding sophomore Jalen Wilson and former Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Garrett. However, Garrett has not made the progression offensively and Wilson struggled out of the gates.
The defense has shown signs of excellence, limiting Oklahoma to 59 points and 30% from beyond the arc, as well as, Oklahoma State to 66 points and 18 turnovers. They have also been a letdown, in giving up 80 to Tennessee and 91 to West Virginia.
The spot for second place within the conference has been as inconsistent as Kansas’s defense. Texas Tech is among one of the victims, as they have been switching back and forth with Oklahoma and West Virginia.
The Red Raiders are coming off a loss to West Virginia, and were a victim to other teams canceling, due to COVID-19. The offense continues to run through McClung as he has become a massive impact for the Red Raiders on offense. The other impact transfer they landed over the off-season has been Marcos Santos-Silva.
The two-year starter from VCU starts for the Red Raiders but has taken a step back, in terms of production. His 56 percent is around his career average, however, points and rebounds have been reduced. He hasn’t had the massive impact that may have been expected but is serviceable.
Micah Peavy has been a nice surprise and is a consistent starter. The Red Raiders have also gotten solid play from Kevin McCullar lately.
McCullar has scored in double figures in four of the last five games and has been a boost to Texas Tech, since returning from injury. His most notable performance came in a 16 point effort in their upset win in Austin against Texas.
Keys to a victory for Kansas
Kansas needs to dominate down low, with elite play from their frontcourt. Texas Tech loves to create scoring from their guards and is among the worst in the country at keeping the ball, giving up 10.5 turnovers per game.
Another weakness is the Tech frontcourt. Although talented, are inexperienced and are playing two talented men in Wilson and David McCormack. In the first meeting, Peavy and Santos-Silva combined for just eight points and 11 rebounds.
Kansas can win inside, by grabbing clutch rebounds and scoring the ball near the rim.
Keys to a victory for Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are among the best defenses in the country and rank 4th in points per game given up, with 70.1 per contest.
Texas Tech Defense | Charges pic.twitter.com/jV1yBcrQPQ
— Coach Gibson Pyper (@HalfCourtHoops) March 30, 2020
The guards are very good at drawing charges and create plays defensively, with their length.
Four players average at least one steal a game and four players have double-digit blocks, led by Santos-Silva.
The Red Raiders are well-equipped to limit Kansas, as they did so in the first matchup. Duplicate those, with shooting better than 26.1% from three-point range and Texas Tech can add another legit win to their resume in hoping to stay inside the Committee’s Top 16.
Allen Fieldhouse is among the hardest places to play and pull out a win. Texas Tech has only beaten Kansas in Lawrence just once, defeating the Jayhawks 85-73 in 2018. However, the previous three matchups between the two teams have been decided by four points or less.
In the end, I believe Texas Tech’s defense, alongside the playmaking of McClung and Shannon will be enough as the Red Raiders get a much-needed win on the road.
Texas Tech 63, Kansas 60.