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GAME INFORMATION | ||
|---|---|---|
 | vs |  |
Oklahoma Sooners (16-8, 7-5) | Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-14, 2-10) | |
February 20, 2013 @ 6:00 pm | ||
United Spirit Arena | Lubbock, TX | ||
TV: ESPNU | Radio: Affiliates | GameCast: FoxSports | ||
Probable Starters | ||
Je'Lon Hornbreak (6-3/180) | PG | Josh Gray (6-1/175) |
Isaiah Cousins (6-3/182) | SG | Dusty Hannahs (6-4/210) |
Steven Pledger (6-4/219) | TG | Jamal Williams, Jr. (6-4/190) |
Romero Osby (6-8/232) | PF | Jordan Tolbert (6-7/225) |
Amath M'Baye (6-9/208) | C | Dejan Kravic (6-11/240) |
SCOUTING THE SOONERS
I think that Buddy Hield is hurt, so there is that. He was starting and a true freshman and averaging about 8 PPG and 4 RPG. I don't think it is long-term, but I believe he is out for this game and maybe a few more. In his place is Cousins, who is also a true freshman.
Oklahoma has been a bit up and down this season with a loss, then a win, then a couple of losses, then a couple of wins, one against Kansas, and then their most recent loss to Oklahoma St. Still a very good defensive team, top third in the country and very good defending the three point shot. That part hasn't changed. Also a top third offense in terms of scoring, but doesn't shoot as well. I'm sure that losing Hield has hurt or will hurt this shooting percentage.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
The last game I thought that this team needed to really value every possession. That's still true and I think this will happen even more so tonight because it is at home. The biggest difference between Texas Tech and Oklahoma is that OU is just a better team and their inside players are better scorers.
I do fee like this Texas Tech team is making strides even though it isn't showing up on the scoreboard. Texas Tech has lost six straight games, mostly by 20 or so points. And then Texas Tech played really well on the road against West Virginia and kept it close.
A couple of roster things that I've been thinking about. Daylen Robinson has virtually been benched. I think that Walker cannot afford the turnovers that he has each and every game. Ty Nurse has also virtually been glued to the bench and so has Toddrick Gotcher. So Walker has essentially been running a three guard lineup of Williams, Gray and Hannahs for almost the entire time.
Now it is time to figure out which of the big men are really going to step up. I think Kravic continues to start, but I feel like Walker is frustrated with his play and with Kader Tapsoba's play. I don't think that Tapsoba is all that bad, but he does have issues. Kravic doesn't look to pass the ball for the most part when the ball is delivered to him in the post. It would be nice to see keep his head up, but it is almost always down and the move is premeditated.
GAME DAY LINKS
Red Raiders Host Sooners Wednesday Night - Texas Tech Red Raiders Official Athletic Site Tech guard Dusty Hannahs showing improvement during freshman season | Red Raiders Oklahoma Basketball: Quick Look At Second Meeting With Texas Tech - Crimson And Cream Machine Tech men’s basketball looks for revenge - The Daily Toreador: Sports