Texas Tech Lady Raiders
Big 12 (21-10, 11-7)
Texas Tech put together a very good season in the very tough Big 12, ending with an 11-7 record in conference play. This is not a Lady Raiders team that is expected to compete for a national title during the 2013 NCAA Tournament, like they did 20 years ago. And they will not blow anybody away. Yet, they can win close games and stick around against most opponents. The Lady Raiders have not won an NCAA Tournament game since their Sweet Sixteen run back in 2005 and that little streak could very well come to an end now.
Big Wins: 1/2 at Oklahoma State (64-59), 1/22 at West Virginia (77-73), 2/24 at Kansas (72-70)
Bad Losses: 11/15 at New Mexico (61-65), 12/20 vs Michigan State (48-50), 3/2 at Kansas State (62-68)
Coach: Kristy Curry
Why They Can Surprise:
The depth and experience on the perimeter has led to the success in Lubbock. Chynna Brown, Casey Morris, Monique Smalls and Christine Hyde are all experienced seniors who are capable of scoring in bunches. Brown has turned into the most productive all-around scorer, especially late in the year. Brown is a scrappy rebounder for a 5-8 guard and uses that same attitude to get to the basket and finish. Morris is the shooters of the bunch, although Brown too can mix up her game with the occasional long ball. Smalls is not the most dangerous scorer in the backcourt, but she runs the show and is the main reason why this Texas Tech squad does so well taking care of the ball. Hyde is just 5-10, but she helps Coach Kristy Curry run a four guard lineup thanks to her ability to hit the glass. Hyde could be a more dynamic scorer with more consistency from long range, but she will score inside the arc and that help in the rebounding department is very important.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Kelsi Baker is usually the one forward surrounded by the four guards. Baker is just 6-0 and many times the Lady Raiders will have a ton of trouble defending a tall scoring threat in the paint. Losing to Baylor is understandable, but Texas Tech allowed 90 and 89 points to the Lady Bears during their two regular season contests. That is a good 30 points over their defensive points per game average. Iowa State did not score as much as Baylor did against the Lady Raiders, but the Cyclones did beat Texas Tech twice during the regular season. Iowa State is another team that has a lot of size and dominated Texas Tech offensively in the paint. In games like that, Coach Curry will have to look down her bench a ways and ask for more production from 6-1 junior Jackie Patterson and 6-3 junior Shauntal Nobles.
Probable Starters:
Monique Smalls, Senior, Guard, 8.2 ppg, 3.4 apg
Casey Morris, Senior, Guard, 12.1 ppg, 2.0 apg
Chynna Brown, Senior, Guard, 13.3 ppg, 1.4 apg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 spg
Christine Hyde, Senior, Guard, 9.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Kelsi Baker, Junior, Forward, 10.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Amber Battle, Sophomore, Guard, 3.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Shauntal Nobles, Junior, Forward, 2.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Jackie Patterson, Junior, Forward, 4.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 65.5 (105th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.4 (99, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 39.4 (138, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.9 (279, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.4 (121, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.7 (73, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.2 (103, 4)
Rebound Margin: 0.5 (154, 8)
Assists Per Game: 10.5 (292, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.9 (33, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NIT First Round win over Eastern Illinois
2012 NIT Second Round win over Tulane
2012 NIT Third Round loss to San Diego
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to St. John's
2010 NIT Round of 64 win over Houston
2010 NIT Round of 32 loss to Wyoming
2008 NIT Second Round win over Texas State
2008 NIT Third Round loss to TCU
2005 NCAA Round of 64 win over Texas Arlington
2005 NCAA Round of 32 win over Middle Tennessee
2005 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Tennessee
*all team stats through 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
