Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball Questions

Q: Will Texas Tech keep shooting over 21 three point shots per game?

A: No. They shouldn’t. While I don’t have a problem with a team shooting a lot of downtown shots to keep the opponents D from backing down inside, I would stray away from the "live by the three die by the three" philosophy if you are going to constantly die by it. I think it’s vital we become a better three point shooting team before throwing up as many treys as we do. Tech has shot 170 threes over 8 games, and made 46 of them. That’s a three point percentage of 27.1% and we rank #325 out of 347 schools in this category. Tech should still bomb a few every game to help create space for drives and passing the ball down low from the perimeter. But, we need to starting making a few more for the other team to believe it’s worth guarding our three shots or else they will back inside to crowd the lane whether we shoot the deep ball or not.

Q: Will Jaye Crockett be the Texas Tech leading scorer for the 8^th straight game?

A: Yes. I love watching Jaye play ball! I can’t say enough good things about this guy. The ESPN announcers during the Alabama game said the coaching staff told them Jaye is the hardest worker in practice and always gives 100%. He has turned into one of the main leaders on this team, and has a chance to be one of the best players in the Big 12 if he keeps it up. He currently is ranked #2 in the Big 12 in both scoring 16.4 ppg, and rebounding 8.9 rpg. I just don’t see him slowing down anytime soon. I hope he does it again in the Arizona State game, and I do think he will.

Q: Who will have the best success guarding Arizona State 7’2’’ Jordan Bachynski next game?

A: I’m going for a long shot on this one, but I am going to give 6’11’ Dejan Kravic a chance. Kravic plays more like a forward then a center and Bachynski (10.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 4.8 bpg) will challenge Kravic down low. A few games back Bachynski had 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 blocks and set a single game record for being ASU’s first ever player to record a triple double. Bachynski is much improved from last year, but he still is only 250 pounds to Kravic at 240 pounds and Bachynski sometimes is known for his tendency to not be aggressive or tough enough inside. This is a problem Kravic has too. It’d be nice to see Kravic do a good job against this guy, because if he doesn’t we will turn to Tolbert to use his power and strength against Bachynski. Tolbert was a force last game in Alabama, and I hope he keeps it going into this ASU battle no matter who he expected to defend. I hope Kravic doesn’t let us down and has a good showing against Bachynski. Wreck ‘em Tech!