Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys to defeating Texas Tech in top 25 matchup

After an extended time away from action, Gonzaga Basketball gets back on the court for their last major nonconference game against 25th ranked Texas Tech for the Jerry Colangelo Classic.

Saturday’s matchup against the Red Raiders may be Gonzaga’s last matchup against a high-profile ranked team after all, with the news that BYU has now lost both big men Gavin Baxter and Richard Harward for the season. This news coupled with some missteps by conference opponents has made Saturday morning’s matchup all the more crucial for the Bulldogs to stay in the conversation for a top seed come March.

The Red Raiders and their vaunted “No-Middle Defense” installed by head coach Mark Adams is yet another test for the Gonzaga backcourt early into their season. After coming back to earth the last three weeks, the college basketball world is collectively looking to see what the ceiling is for a team that has shown so far to not yet be at the level of last year’s near-perfect squad.

While Andrew Nembhard remains to be one of the best point guards in the country and Rasir Bolton has looked to be every part of the fastbreak and driving hooper he was with Iowa State, the absences of Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Joel Ayayi still ring out.

As this young team continues to grow together and regain continuity as well as build up their new minutes’ earners like Julian Strawther and bring along their freshmen Chet Holmgren, Nolan Hickman, and Hunter Sallis, Saturday’s matchup against a team ranked 7th in adjusted defense on KenPom will be a true test for how far away this team is from where they want to be. Here are some keys to Gonzaga taking down Texas Tech and re-entering the conversation for best in the country.