Duke Basketball: 3 keys to beating Texas Tech Red Raiders in Sweet 16

Duke Basketball is looking to go out with a bang in Coach K’s final run in the NCAA Tournament. Here’s a look at three keys to victory against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

3. Play their style, not Texas Tech’s style

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have done well to show they belong in the NCAA Tournament field with their opening victories over Montana State and Notre Dame using a balanced attack of strong defense and all-around offense.

Defensively, they’ve held opponents to 57.5 points per contest and just 35.5 percent shooting from the field as a defensive unit. Offensively, they’ve managed to shoot 50.5 percent from the floor and 45.7 percent from 3-point land while putting up 78.0 ppg through their two victories. They’ve put together quite a menacing formula for the Blue Devils to overcome led by the play of Bryson Williams and Kevin Obanor.

Obanor is averaging a double-double with 12.5 ppg and 13.0 rpg. He’s snagged 4.5 offensive rebounds per contest to make his presence felt on the offensive end of the floor. The Blue Devils will need to keep him off the glass if they hope to find success.

Williams has led the scoring attack for the Red Raiders with 17.0 ppg along with 2.5 rpg and 2.0 apg while shooting 44.4 percent from behind the arc. Duke will need to run him off the 3-point line or it could be a long night for them.

Depth certainly isn’t an issue for either team. This one comes down to who can stick to their game plan and find their mental toughness across 40 minutes the most. Experience will be tested!