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The UTEP Miners (9-3, 0-0) v. The Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-5, 0-0)
Tuesday, January 4, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m.
ESPNU
The Numbers:
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Keys to the Game:
- Contain Stefon: Saying that Texas Tech should contain Jackson sounds a lot tougher than saying "contain Stefon". Perhaps it will make Jackson, er uh Stefon, a lot less intimidating. Mind games my friends, mind games. Actually Jackson is an immensely talented player and is shooting almost 50% from the floor. If I had to give a little advice, then I'd tell Zeno or Singletary to give him the outside shot, especially the 3-point shot where he's shooting under 30%. If he beats you from behind the arc, then it probably wasn't meant to be.
- Continue to Force Turnovers: The Red Raiders have done a nice job of forcing teams into bad shots and lots of turnovers. UTEP isn't necessarily prone to TO's, however, forcing the Miners into some mistakes and turnovers means that they aren't scoring.
- Opposites Attract: UTEP and Texas Tech are ranked pretty close, however, UTEP is a better offensive team and less than stellar defensive team while Texas Tech is a pretty good defensive team, but not so good offensive team. It will be interesting to see which end will win the game, Texas Tech's defense or UTEP's offense. Additionally, it will also be interesting to see if the Red Raider offense is able to continue its current scoring prowess or if UTEP's defense will be able to hold the Texas Tech offense. Don't forget that UTEP recently be New Mexico, however, the Miners were at home.
I have no clue as to Texas Tech's starting lineups any more. I think Knight is switching these up just to eff with me (I kid). LAJ's Jeff Walker is reporting that this will be your starting lineup.
Probable Starting Lineups:
| Texas Tech | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | APG |
| John Roberson | 5-11 | 165 | G | Fr. | 11.8 | 2.3 | 2.9 |
| Alan Voskuil | 6-3 | 175 | G | Jr. | 12.8 | 4.0 | 1.9 |
| Martin Zeno | 6-5 | 208 | G/F | Sr. | 14.8 | 4.9 | 2.8 |
| Rogdrick Craig | 6-6 | 225 | F | Jr. | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.6 |
| Trevor Cook | 6-8 | 225 | F | So. | 4.4 | 2.3 | 0.7 |
| UTEP | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | APG |
| Julyan Stone | 6-6 | 185 | G | Fr. | 2.4 | 3.3 | 3.2 |
| Marvin Kilgore | 6-3 | 195 | G | Sr. | 12.6 | 4.3 | 5.5 |
| Stefon Jackson | 6-5 | 185 | G | Jr. | 24.8 | 4.7 | 1.0 |
| Victor Ramalho | 6-9 | 255 | F | Sr. | 6.7 | 5.3 | 0.3 |
| Tavaris Watts | 6-9 | 210 | F | Jr. | 6.0 | 4.6 | 0.6 |
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.