2020-21 basketball video game preview, Tv program
Texas Tech aspiring for consecutive major upsets as Baylor appears to be to preserve its undefeated streak clear.
Date: Saturday, January, 16, 4 p.m. ET. ESPN
Arena: United Grocery store Arena in Lubbock. Texas.
To say that equally of these teams have been tested this time has been an understatement. Not only with their patience, but with the program and uncertainty. Major 25 groups seem to be to be allergic to playing the Bears as they experienced another match canceled this 7 days.
Soon after finding heavyweight matchups like Gonzaga, likely Villanova, and Texas canceled or postponed, the Bears would include a further on Monday. Baylor was slated to participate in West Virginia in Waco on Tuesday. Nevertheless, COVID-19 unfold by means of the Mountaineers plan and will be re-scheduled for a later on day.
Prior to that, the Bears have been dominant, winning their past 11 video games by double figures. The Bears have a loaded backcourt, showcased with four players averaging double figures on the period. Foremost the pack is Jared Butler, who is coming off a 28-point effectiveness against TCU. Butler carried the offense via many lulls until finally the Bears pulled away late.
The lacking piece that was hoping to be filled from this Baylor staff was the presence of Freddie Gillespie. Enter Johnathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua. The 6-8 Sophomore from Cameroon and transfer from UNLV delivers power for all 40 minutes. He has averaged 9 factors and 7.2 rebounds on the time. He brings energy on the offensive close and can keep his very own on defense.
Tchatchoua comes off the bench and isn’t the only bench presence that has made an affect so far. Junior Matthew Mayer can maintain his possess as his quantities have elevated this season. The previous Best 100 recruit has averaged 9.3 details and 3.6 rebounds on a staggering 48 percent from over and above the arc.
Texas Tech bought some gut-wrenching information when five-star F Nimari Burnett announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal. Despite the fact that he was not a go-to scorer, he was great depth and experienced probable to develop into a major scorer. The loss of Burnett did not have an affect on the Purple Raiders on Saturday.
Behind a merged 37 points from Kyler Edwards and Mac McClung, Texas Tech conquer Iowa State, 91-64. The Purple Raiders did what they do greatest and attacked the ball around the rim.
The Crimson Raiders have rather a couple flaws in their video game. They are not a great three-place capturing team, ranking ninth in 3-ideas attempted and made in Huge 12 participate in. They also are not excellent at rebounding, rating eighth in that group.
That did not issue on Wednesday when they upset No. 4 Texas. At the rear of forcing 15 turnovers and 22-28 from the totally free throw line, Texas Tech beat the Longhorns, 79-77. McClung led all scorers with 22 in the activity, including the activity-successful shot.
Nonetheless, the Pink Raiders get to the line at a fast rate. They common 24 absolutely free throws for every recreation in meeting enjoy. They also maintain the ideal proportion from the line. The greatest effect on the time has been the arrival of McClung.
Busting Brackets’ very own Caleb Hightower breaks down McClung’s competencies and what he brings to the Red Raiders. The most enhanced player from previous year’s Pink Raiders has been Terrance Shannon. He has taken a new part and is the foremost a few-point shooter.
On a crew lacking a perimeter threat, Shannon provides it. He is second in scoring guiding McClung and sales opportunities the Purple Raiders in three-level efficiency by quite a bit. Shannon averages 39 % from past the arc. His 6’6 frame also can help him on protection, deflecting passes in opposition to other guards.
Baylor gained this matchup in Lubbock very last period, 57-52. The defensive slugfest experienced just a few gamers score in double figures, with two coming from Texas Tech. The Bears out-rebounded Tech, 40-24, and shot 43 p.c from the subject.
The keys to a victory for Texas Tech is to just take benefit of Baylor’s gradual starts. Even if their defense has been elite, their offense has been flat over the previous a few video games. The Bears were being only up 4 on Iowa State and losing to TCU heading into halftime. Baylor shot just 1-10 from further than the arc.
Even with the lack of offensive threats on the perimeter, Texas Tech plays elite defense. Texas Tech ranks seventh in the nation in points per game permitted at 58 points per video game. TCU’s offense could not replicate their defensive performance and ultimately could not hang.
If Texas Tech can locate offense early, they could overwhelm the Bears. Massive video games from Edwards and Shannon will be essential for the Pink Raiders to pull off the upset.
For Baylor, it has grow to be momentum shifts. In important moments of video games, a large enjoy or two creates the Bears runs. The Bears went on a huge operate when they defeated Illinois early in the year by 13. It was the exact way against TCU.
More so, these momentum performs materialize in the next fifty percent. In a hostile natural environment and elite protection, Baylor is going to want a couple of people plays late to gain. The expectation for this recreation is to be lower scoring and a slugfest of defensive stands and turnovers.
Baylor swept the sequence last year and will have adequate offense to make it a few straight.
Prediction: #2 Baylor 62, #15 Texas Tech 56.
