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Game 1: No. 8 Texas Tech v. No. 9 Oklahoma State (11:30 a.m. ESPN2)
The Numbers:
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Probable Starting Lineups:
| Texas Tech | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | APG |
| John Roberson | 5-11 | 165 | G | Fr. | 12.1 | 2.6 | 3.4 |
| Alan Voskuil | 6-3 | 175 | G | Jr. | 13.5 | 4.0 | 1.4 |
| Martin Zeno | 6-5 | 208 | G/F | Sr. | 15.9 | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Mike Singletary | 6-5 | 226 | F | Fr. | 7.1 | 2.9 | 1.0 |
| Damir Suljagic | 6-8 | 245 | F | Jr. | 5.2 | 4.1 | 0.7 |
| Oklahoma St. | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | APG |
| Byron Eaton | 5-11 | 213 | G | Jr. | 11.7 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
| Obi Muonelo | 6-5 | 225 | G | So. | 9.9 | 3.3 | 1.8 |
| James Anderson | 6-6 | 195 | G | Fr. | 13.4 | 3.5 | 1.1 |
| Marcus Dove | 6-9 | 215 | F | Sr. | 9.9 | 5.8 | 1.3 |
| Ibrahima Thomas | 6-11 | 238 | C | Fr. | 5.7 | 4.1 | 0.2 |
Keys to the Game:
- Don't Let Eaton Be A Hero: OSU is blessed to have the player I most despise on their team. Eaton grates on my nerves like no other and if there if any of the Texas Tech players are reading this and asking themselves what can they do to help Seth C through this is to completely dominate Eaton. Do not let him be the hero. Do it for me. Do it for DTN. Do it for Texas Tech.
- Get Voskuil Hot: Voskuil looked like a man beaten down against Baylor and failed to hit a shot. For the Red Raiders to even so much as have a decent chance, Voskuil has to be a guy who scores for the Red Raiders and keeps the OSU defense honest.
- Rebound, For Me: I don't think I ask for much, but when I do, I sure as hell hope that I get it. I would absolutely love to see this Texas Tech team go on a rebounding tear through this tournament. I know that a leopard isn't likely to change it's spots, but a big part of rebounding is "want-to" and if Suljagic, Cook and Rizvic just want it more, then there's no reason why this group can't outrebound the Cowboys.
Prediction: Give me the Red Raiders in a very close game. Voskuil is going to come out the gates like a banshee.
I'm going to be in court for much of the morning and this afternoon so I won't be around. Nevertheless, 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.