MBB | Opponent Preview: Texas Tech Red Raiders Part II

This evening, the Oklahoma Sooners try for yet another season sweep. Earning a 74-65 win on the road in Lubbock, OU now hosts the Texas Tech Red Raiders who have won only a single game in conference on the road. While Oklahoma fell out of the rankings this past week, they look to continue building momentum as the season closes out.

Tubby Smith has his Red Raiders team looking up. Before taking over, TTU posted a mere four wins in conference. Now, a year later, this squad has matched the total with eight games remaining on the schedule. A large part of the success story of this team rest on Jaye Crockett's shoulders. Shooting 55.2% from the floor, there is no doubt that Crockett is the catalyst for the offense.

Even though Crockett is an efficient player with the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, Texas Tech, in conference play, scores at a rate of 68.3 points per game. Couple that with the fact that Coach Smith's squad gives up 69.2 in conference and it becomes clear as to where they struggle...offense.

If the Red Raiders hope to compete with the Sooners, someone must lend support to Crockett. There are a few viable candidates but the most obvious is Jordan Tolbert. Defensively, fans know OU stretches the floor to tune of 8.7 three-pointers per game. Tech must rely on a quick close out in order to throw the Sooners off their game. It can be done, but it will be tough in Lloyd Noble.

The game tips off at 7 PM CST and can be found on the Big 12 Network.