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The Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-12, 7-7) v. The Kansas Jayhawks (26-3, 11-3)
Monday, March 3, 2008 @ 8:00 p.m.
ESPN
The Numbers:
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Keys to the Game:
- Limit Shots: Remember, 18 offensive rebounds. That's the number of offensive rebounds handed to the Longhorns on Saturday. Kansas is capable of the same thing, but possibly even more. Jackson, Arthur, Kaun and even Cole Aldrich are all big and can rebound and jump (i.e. see TAMU). Personally, this game scares the living daylights out of me and PK is going to have to extend his bench a bit, especially after the quick turnaround and emotional high of the Texas game. Expect De Bem and Rizvic to also get some time.
- Emotional Wreck: Honestly, I had no idea that this game was tonight. I thought I had at least 2 good days off before I had to start thinking about Kansas. Here's the difference between me and the Texas Tech team . . . I don't have to play. There isn't any doubt that this is going to be a very difficult game. Coming off an emotional victory, having to get on the road the next day and playing in Allen Field House is not an enviable task for any team. The best advice I've got is to take each possession one at a time. Limit the Jayhawks to one shot and don't let these guys get out an run. It could be over as quick as it started.
- Share the Ball: Saturday's win over UT showed me that this team is capable of not needing one or two guys carry the entire scoring load for the team. I loved seeing Zeno, Voskuil, Cook, Burgess and Roberson all involved in scoring and I especially loved the thousands of free throws. Zeno and the rest of the crew are going to have to get to the charity strip and passing the ball around to the guys who has the best shot worked well against UT and there's no reason why it can't work against the Jayhawks.
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 |
| Damir Suljagic | 6-8 | 245 | F | Jr. | 5.2 | 4.1 | 0.7 |
| Trevor Cook | 6-8 | 225 | F | So. | 4.8 | 2.4 | 0.6 |
| Kansas | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | APG |
| Mario Chalmers | 6-1 | 190 | G | Jr. | 12.0 | 3.0 | 4.7 |
| Russell Robinson | 6-1 | 205 | G | Sr. | 7.4 | 3.0 | 4.2 |
| Brandon Rush | 6-6 | 210 | F | Jr. | 12.6 | 5.1 | 2.2 |
| Darnell Jackson | 6-8 | 250 | F | Sr. | 12.2 | 6.8 | 1.1 |
| Darrell Arthur | 6-9 | 225 | F | So. | 13.6 | 5.9 | 0.7 |
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.