Struggling Texas Tech Hosts Oklahoma: Q&A With SBN's Double T Nation

Oklahoma travels to Lubbock to take on a struggling Texas Tech team that has yet to win a conference game. In my opinion there are two chances for them if they want to notch a single "w" this season in conference and one of those happens to be tonight. Seth C of SBN's Double T Nation gives us the inside scoop on a few things concerning his Red Raiders.

CCM - The Texas Tech Red Raiders have had a disappointing season in conference play. Is there much hope from the fan perspective that Tech can pick up a win somewhere in the remainder of their schedule?

DTN - Right now, I personally don't have much hope for the rest of the season other than next week's game against Texas A&M, who is injured and will be playing TTU on the road. But the mere fact that I'm hoping for just one win should tell you more than you need to know about how this season has played out and where I think it's headed. I thought this team would win three or four games, not necessarily high expectations, but not what I expected.

CCM - TTU shoots an average of 44.2% from the field putting them as well as the Sooners (44%) in the middle of the pack. Who is the one player Oklahoma will need to focus their game plan around?

DTN - The only player who has shown to be most consistent is Jordan Tolbert, but as a true freshman, he's prone to being up and down as well. The biggest problem for Texas Tech has been scoring, or the lack thereof, and there's just not many people on this team that have the ability to create other than Tolbert and Jaye Crockett. And with both PG Kevin Wagner is definitely out while PG Javarez Willis is most likely out and that's creates additional problems for Texas Tech from a depth standpoint as this team isn't deep.

CCM - Much of the Sooners success has come from the supporting cast taking pressure off sharpshooter, Steven Pledger. How does Tech plan on putting the pressure back on him while limiting the supporting players?

DTN - You're absolutely right, and I think if I were Texas Tech, I'd load up to stop Pledger and take the chance that the rest of the Sooner team will beat Texas Tech. Pledger has been fun to watch this year, but like Texas Tech, it seems like OU has struggled with consistency and scoring. I think if Texas Tech can stop Pledger, then there's a chance.

CCM - What are a few keys to the game that Tech must employ in order to be successful against Lon Kruger and the Sooners?

DTN - Because Texas Tech cannot score very well, it's always imperative for the team to play tight defense and keep the game close. Tolbert needs to stay out of foul trouble, which has been a problem, and Texas Tech could really use some balanced scoring, from Tolbert, Crockett, Robert Lewandowski and Ty Nurse.