Preview and Game Thread | Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Baylor Bears

GAME INFORMATION
	vs
Baylor Bears (14-8, 5-4)		Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-11, 2-7)
February 9, 2013 @ 3:00 pm
Ferrell Center | Waco, TX
TV: Big 12 Network | Radio: Affiliates | GameCast: FoxSports
Probable Starters
Pierre Jackson (5-10/180)	PG	Josh Gray (6-1/175)
Brady Heslip (6-2/180)	SG	Dusty Hannahs (6-4/210)
A.J. Walton (6-1/184)	TG	Jamal Williams, Jr. (6-4/190)
Cory Jefferson (6-9/210)	PF	Jordan Tolbert (6-7/225)
Isaiah Austin (7-1/220)	C	Dejan Kravic (6-11/240)

SCOUTING THE BEARS

Last time these two teams met it wasn't pretty for our beloved Red Raiders. The inside tandem of Austin and Jefferson was too much for Texas Tech. Last time, I think that Baylor's offense was good, to quite good, but that the defense was struggling. The defense is ranked 118th in scoring defense, which I think is improvement, and are 73rd in field goal percentage defense. The offense for Baylor is still very good, ranking 34th in scoring offense, but only (I say that in jest) 77th in field goal percentage.

Baylor is on a bit of a slide, losing three straight. Baylor lost to Oklahoma, Iowa St. and Oklahoma St. in their past three games. All were relatively close games, but losses nonetheless. I don't think this is what Baylor fans had in mind this year, but maybe I'm wrong. Baylor is still led by Jackson, who is really fun to watch, scoring 19 PPG and 6 APG. I honestly didn't know that jefferson is as good as he is, and scores 12 PPG and grabs 8 RPG, while is frontcourt teammate Austin scores 14 PPG and 9 RPG.

KEYS TO SUCCESS

For the past two weeks, Walker has switched up the starting lineup a bit. The last game, Crockett started, but I don't know if Crockett is going to start against a 7'1" player in Austin and could see Kravic getting the call. I think it's a fluid situation and Tolbert, Kravic and Crockett will all get their minutes whether they start or not. Two games ago, Ty Nurse got the start and was more of a shooter and not in a point guard role and he scored 14. I wonder if Walker has considered benching Williams and starting Nurse, Hannahs and Gray in the backcourt. I understand that Williams mainly starts for the defense, so that's the big trade-off, but I wonder if it would open things up for the guys inside. They seem to be awfully congested.

Overall, unless the frontcourt steps up their play, then I could see a similar outcome. If Tolbert, Crockett and Kravic step up their play, then this game can be much closer, but they have to keep Baylor off the boards.

GAME DAY LINKS

Red Raiders Travel To Waco To Face Baylor - Texas Tech Red Raiders Official Athletic Site

Texas Tech anxious to gauge progress in Big 12's second half | Red Raiders

Fading Baylor men need win to get back onto NCAA bubble | Wacotrib.com