Texas Tech Red Raiders
Big 12 (26-6, 14-4)
Texas Tech started the 2018-2019 campaign with a 15-1 record with that lone loss coming against Duke. There were not too many bumps in the road after that with the exception of a three game skid in mid-January. In the end, the Red Raiders proved that they can beat anybody and earned a share of the Big 12 title.
Big Wins: 1/5 Kansas State (63-57), 2/23 Kansas (91-62), 3/9 at Iowa State (80-73)
Bad Losses: 1/16 Iowa State (64-68), 1/19 at Baylor (62-73), 1/22 at Kansas State (45-58)
Coach: Chris Beard
Why They Can Surprise:
Coach Chris Beard’s team boasts one of the best defenses in the nation. They allow the opposition to score just 58.6 points per game and hit on just 36.8 percent of their shots. Those are some great numbers and it does not take much offense to win games when the team is playing defense like that. And Texas Tech has a superb scoring threat in Jarrett Culver. The 6-6 sophomore leads the team with 18.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He is not the most consistent or prolific outside shooter, but Culver is at least a threat to shoot the ball from long range and that often gives him the space he needs to attack the basket.
Why They Can Disappoint:
In order to make a deep tournament run, Culver will need some help in the scoring department. Backcourt mates Davide Moretti and Matt Mooney are usually the best options. Those two average in double figures in the scoring column, but are not always consistent. They are both good shooters though and even an occasional three-pointer from those two will provide Culver some help. Most of the scoring in the frontcourt comes from Tariq Owens. He is not going to drop 20 points on anybody, but Owens can occasionally be a solid interior scoring threat and he will even knock down a three-pointer every once in a while.
Probable Starters:
Jarrett Culver, Sophomore, Guard, 18.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.7 apg
Matt Mooney, Senior, Guard, 10.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.3 apg
Davide Moretti, Sophomore, Guard, 11.6 ppg, 2.5 apg
Tariq Owens, Senior, Forward, 8.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.4 bpg
Norense Odiase, Senior, Center, 4.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Key Role Players:
DeShawn Corprew, Sophomore, Forward, 5.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Brandone Francis, Senior, Guard, 6.2 ppg
Kyler Edwards, Freshman, Guard, 5.4 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.1 (159th in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.6 (2, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.2 (47, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.8 (1, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.3 (221, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.9 (64, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.3 (116, 2)
Rebound Margin: 2.7 (97, 3)
Assists Per Game: 14.2 (117, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.3 (100, 5)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Stephen F Austin |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Florida |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Purdue |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Final loss to Villanova |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Butler |
| 2010 | NIT | First Round win over Seton Hall |
| 2010 | NIT | Second Round win over Jacksonville |
| 2010 | NIT | Quarterfinal loss to Mississippi |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Boston College |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over UCLA |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Gonzaga |
| 2005 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to West Virginia |
| 2004 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Charlotte |
| 2004 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to St. Joseph's |
| 2003 | NIT | First Round win over Nevada |
| 2003 | NIT | Second Round win over San Diego State |
| 2003 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Georgia Tech |
| 2003 | NIT | Semifinal loss to St. John's |
*all team stats through 3/10
