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Preview and Open Game Day Thread: TExas Tech v. Oklahoma

v.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-6, 1-1) v. The Oklahoma Sooners (12-5, 0-2)

Saturday, January 19, 2008 @ 3:00 p.m.

Television:
ESPN Plus
DFW - Channel 21

The Numbers:

Texas Tech
Statistic
Oklahoma
62
K.P. Rank*
28
105.4 (105)
Adjusted Offensive Efficiency*
116.1 (20)
90.5 (42)
Adjusted Defensive Efficiency*
92.2 (54)
70.1
Points Scored
78.3
31.2
Rebounds
41.5
13.9
Assists
15.8
16.3
Turnovers
12.7

Keys to the Game:

  1. Limit Shots and Force TO's: Texas Tech did an amazing job of limiting the Aggies in terms of shots and forcing turnovers. Without Blake Griffin I think OU will struggle to score and although defense will win you games, you've got to put the bucket through the hoop. I think the combination of Suljagic and Rizvic is enough to shut down Longar, now it's just a matter of stopping the ancillary OU pieces.
  2. Serenity Now: Don't get rattled. The crowd is going to be rowdy and loud. Don't think for a minute that the OU students aren't going to forget a certain game in November. If you turn the ball over, it's okay. Put it out of your mind and move onward and upward, but no matter what, do not let the crowd get to you like in Stillwater. Fight through it.
  3. Winning on the Road: It doesn't matter if you're playing Iowa State or Nebraska or Oklahoma, winning on the road is difficult. That being said, Oklahoma isn't the same team without Blake Griffin. What you have here is a perfect storm with Griffin out and if there was ever a chance to beat an opponent on the road, then this jut might be it. You need this win pretty bad.

Probable Starting Lineups:

Texas Tech Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. PPG RPG APG
John Roberson 5-11 165 G Fr. 11.6 2.5 3.1
Charlie Burgess 6-1 193 G Sr. 5.9 2.4 1.9
Martin Zeno 6-5 208 G/F Sr. 16.3 4.7 3.2
Damir Suljagic 6-8 245 F Jr. 3.5 3.4 1.0
Esmir Rizvic 7-0 252 C Sr. 3.9 2.5 0.1
Oklahoma Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. PPG RPG APG
Austin Johnson 6-3 161 G Jr. 8.5 2.8 2.6
Cade Davis 6-5 197 F Fr. 3.7 1.7 0.4
Tony Crocker 6-6 191 G So. 11.4 4.6 2.9
Taylor Griffin 6-7 236 F Jr. 5.5 3.5 1.1
Longar Longar 6-11 232 C Sr. 13.5 6.1 1.4

This is your open game day thread so feel free to sign up for a free account and leave all predictions, comments and thoughts about the game here.

GO RAIDERS . . .

*Stats can be found Ken Pomeroy, via Basketball Prospectus: K.P. Rank = the Ken Pomeroy Rank; Offensive Efficiency = the national rank in terms of points scored per 100 possessions; Defensive Efficiency = the national rank in terms of points allowed per 100 possession. Numbers in parentheses are national rank.