Preview: Northwestern State Demons vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Game Details:

Date: Tuesday, November 25th
Time: 7:00 pm
Good Guys: Texas Tech Red Raiders
Bad Guys: Northwestern State Demons
Location: United Supermarkets Arena | Lubbock, TX
TV/Stream: FSSW Plus / FCS Pacific
Radio/Stream: Broadcast Affiliates and TuneIn App

Congrats to the Big Man. Congrats to freshman F Norense Odiase, who was named the Big 12 co-newcomer of the week, alongside WVU's Jonathan Holton:

Odiase averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds as Texas Tech posted a 1-1 week with a win over Missouri State and an overtime loss at LSU. The freshman center had 13 points in each contest, with 17 of his 26 points coming in the second half. He made 9-of-11 (.818) shots from the field and connected on 8-of-13 (.615) from the line. Odiase leads the team in minutes (28.7 mpg) as well as points (14.0), rebounds (8.0) and field goal percentage (.636). The last time a Red Raider center led the squad in minutes was 2001-02 (Andy Ellis).

Attack that Defense. A couple of really good stats here, the first being that Northwestern State is terrible defensively, 262nd in Adj.D. and the Demons are allowing near 86 points a game.  The Demons do shoot a lot of free throws, but Texas Tech shoots at a higher rate, much higher actually because I'm guessing that the Red Raiders value the ball and possessions more than Northwestern State.  Also, if you're "box score watching" as Oklahoma beat NW State, 90-63 and TAMU beat the Demons 109-69.

Three Keys to the Game:

1. Scouting the Demons. NW State is guard heavy, which is standard for teams just about everywhere, and are led by Zikiteran Woodley, who is averaging 19 pints a game on 56% from the field, which is incredibly good and he's also shooting 38% from beyond the arc. Point guard Jalan West also averages near 17 points a game, but isn't quite the shooter, only 40% from the field, but he does average an astounding 7 assists a game and just three turnovers. Down low, Marvin Frazier is your post presence and and averages 12 points and 5 rebounds a game.

2. Take It Down Low. I wasn't sure that I'd be typing that phrase this early in the season and I was sure that it wasn't going to be about the least recruited big-man that Texas Tech has, but I'm happy to be wrong. Odiase has been an anchor and until he hits a wall, I'm thinking that you continue to feed the ball to him. Zach Smith has also been really good out of the high post and feeding Odiase, he's continually looking for him inside and it's really terrific to see that combination work so well.

3. Let's Work On Turnovers. The one thing that's really bothered me thus far about Texas Tech is the turnover rate, which seems like it's a bit too high this point in the season. In Big 12 play, those possessions become more and more important and it seems imperative that with Robert Turner leading the way, that Texas Tech really needs for he and any of the other guards primarily handling the ball, to take better care of the ball and value those possessions. Not looking for perfect play, but for a better showing. And truthfully, Turner has been really good, but as a team, it's been tough to watch at times. Still though, I have to keep reminding myself that there's a ton of freshmen and newcomers on the floor and they've generally done a pretty good job of being mindful of working the clock and those possessions, but those turnovers really cost this team late against LSU and that's the sort of thing I'm thinking that we can avoid that late-game breakdown.