clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Preview and Open Game Day Thread: Kansas vs. Texas Tech

Kansas Jayhawks
(24-5, 13-1)
vs.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
(12-17, 2-12)
March 3, 2009
8:30 p.m. CST
TV: ESPN2
Game Cast: Fox Sports

The Numbers:

Texas Tech
Statistic
Kansas
112
K.P. Rank*
6
106.3 (93)
Adjusted Offensive Efficiency*
115.1 (18)
100.7 (161)
Adjusted Defensive Efficiency*
87.3 (7)
77.8
Points Scored
77.8
79.3
Points Allowed
64.8
35.9
Rebounds
39.1
15.7
Assists
16.5
14.7
Turnovers
14.9

Probable Starting Lineups:

Texas Tech Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. PPG RPG APG
John Roberson 5-11 165 G So. 14.3 3.4 6.5
Alan Voskuil 6-3 181 G Sr. 13.8 4.1 2.0
Nick Okorie 6-1 191 G Jr. 11.2 3.1 1.5
Michael Prince 6-7 210 F Sr. 4.0 2.9 0.7
Robert Lewandowski 6-10 240 C Fr. 7.2 4.0 0.8
Kansas Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. PPG RPG APG
Tyshawn Taylor 6-3 180 G Fr. 9.9 2.2 3.1
Brady Morningstar 6-3 180 G So. 6.9 3.1 2.7
Sherron Collins 5-11 200 G Jr. 18.5 2.6 5.0
Marcus Morris 6-8 225 F Fr. 7.4 4.9 1.2
Cole Aldrich 6-11 245 C So. 15.1 10.8 1.0

Keys to the Game:

  1. Amazing Defense: There was a lot of talk earlier this year about how Pat Knight was going to emphasize a running offense and as I look back at the KenPom stats on defense and here's where Kansas ranks in 2009 through 2006: 2009-87.3(7); 82.8(1); 2007-82.2(1); and 2006-84.7(2). It's amazing what defense can do for a program, even on what was supposed to be a down year for Kansas, you can win with defense. Take note Junior Knight, take note.
  2. Lewandowski vs. Aldrich / Okorie vs. Collins: I'm pretty interested to see Lewandowski and how he matches up against Cole Aldrich, especially after he's had an entire year to figure things out as a true freshman, which Aldrich averaged 2.8 points a game last year, although he saw less that 10 minutes a game. I'm also interested in seeing two similar players, Okorie and Collins matchup, especially considering both players are playing really well at this point.
  3. Senior Sendoff: It's an incredible longshot and it can be said about a bunch of different programs around the country at this time of year, but it would be really nice to send Voskuil, Prince, Rizvic, Suljagic and Craig out with a memorable final game.

GO RAIDERS . . .

*Stats can be found at Ken Pomeroy: 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.