Scouting the Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Red Raiders of No. 14 Texas Tech (11-3) visit No. 7 Houston (13-1) in a massive Big 12 game on Tuesday night. I HATE the Red Raiders, but I respect Coach Grant McCasland and the program he has built in Lubbock. During his Monday media availability, Kelvin Sampson spoke at length about the roster Tech has built. He referred to them as “a problem, which is how I would describe them.

I thought that the loss of Darrion Williams, Chance McMillian, Kevin Overton, Elijah Hawkins, Kerwin Walton, and Federiko Federiko would be too much for them to compete at a high level in the Big 12. Then, Tech goes and replaces them with guys from Washington State, UNC-Greensboro, and Indian River State College. Tech’s staff did a phenomenal job evaluating those guys and built the new team to play their way. They likely have the best 1-2 punch in the nation with point guard Christian Anderson and the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, JT Toppin. Coach Sampson seems to be concerned with the pick-and-roll game between the two of them.

Although I believe Toppin will likely be the favorite to repeat as “Player of the Year” in the conference, I’m rolling with Anderson as the “Head of the Snake” in this one. He has been playing incredible basketball, turning into one of the best scoring point guards in America. I think if the Coogs can get it out of his hands and force Toppin and their “X-Factor” LeJuan Watts to beat them, UH will have a much better opportunity to get the win. All three can’t have BIG games. Right? If they do, it will be trouble in the Fertitta Center. I look for the Coogs to take half of the dynamic duo away and get revenge for last year’s loss in Houston.

Texas Tech Offense Notes

• Texas Tech has a ton of firepower on offense.
• The Cougars need to force Toppin to his right hand. He is deadly when he can shoot the left-handed hook shot.
• The Tech offense runs through Christian Anderson. I’d look to pressure him and force it out of his hands. Bring the BLITZ often.
• They have multiple guys who shoot around 40% from beyond the arc. A couple ONLY shoot from outside. Force them to put the ball on the floor and get uncomfortable.

Red Raiders Defense Notes

• Tech has run man-to-man defense 100% of the time this season. I don’t see that changing Tuesday night.
• The Red Raiders will double-team the post at times, especially when Toppin is not guarding the post player. The guards like to come down and try to swat the ball away when they have the opportunity.
• They will try to fight over the top of ball-screens, but if they are unable, they tend to switch.

Texas Tech Cheat Sheet

Texas Tech Personnel (*Indicates likely starters)

*#15 – JT Toppin – 6’9″ – JR – Forward – (New Mexico) – 21ppg, 11rpg, 1bpg.

• LEFTY!
• Reigning Big 12 Player of the Year;
• If he’s allowed to go over his right shoulder with the left-handed hook…it’s over. Force him to go right and bring the MONSTER TRAP. He is improved going back to his right this year, though;
• Good roller in their pick and roll game.Finds open space and sits. They love to find him in the short roll;
• Has struggled this season from shooting the three (4-24, 17%);
• Outstanding offensive rebounder (averaging almost 5 ORB/G). Have to keep him off the glass;
• Toppin is a solid shot blocker.

*#4 – Christian Anderson – 6’3″ – SO – Guard – 21ppg, 4rpg, 8apg, 2spg.

• Head of the snake!
• Crazy good three-level scoring point guard.
• Extremely patient off the bounce. Gets it in the paint, then surveys if he wants to shoot, pass, or continue to the rim. Most guys have their mind made up and take a rushed/bad shot;
• Elite three-point shooter (47-108, 44%). Can shoot from DEEP;
• Crafty finisher at the rim;
• Has developed into an elite point guard. Has been great at getting his teammates involved. He’s 4th nationally with 7.5 assists per game;
• Must be careful when guarding him. He will throw his head back when dribbling or kick his leg out when shooting if you guard him too closely.

*#3 – LeJuan Watts – 6’6″ – RS JR – Forward – (Eastern Washington, Washington State) – 14ppg, 6rpg, 3apg.

• Tall/thick forward. X-Factor for them;
• Is he the third man??? (WCW “wrasslin” ball-knowers know);
• Uses his body well. If someone smaller is guarding him, he will back them down and make a post move. If someone bigger is guarding him, he can take them off the bounce or shoot the long-ball;
• Really good in the pick and roll. Can shoot it on the roll/pop or drive to draw a foul;
• Strong finisher off the bounce in the paint. Draws a lot of fouls/and ones. Can shoot with either hand;
• Good three-point shooter (12-31, 39%).

*#12 – Donovan Atwell – 6’5″ – SR – Guard – (UNC-Greensboro) – 11ppg, 3rpg.

• LEFTY!
• Three-point shooting specialist guard;
• 105 of his 116 shot attempts have been from beyond the arc! Run him off the three-point line (45-105, 43%);
• Capable off the bounce, but is primarily a catch-and-shoot guy;
• They like to use him in the pick and pop game. If UH is slow blitzing, they will find him for an open three-point opportunity. He’s the type of player that will make you pay.

*#11 – Jaylen Petty – 6’1″ – FR – Guard – 9ppg, 4rpg, 2apg.

• Small guard. I’d suspect he’s closer to 5’9″-5’10”;
• Really good three-point shooter, especially from the corner (25-67, 37%); Will kick his leg out to draw a foul if he feels rushed;
• He’s probably not going to try to get to the rim. I’d close out on him hard to ensure he doesn’t get a clean outside shot;
• Elite free-throw shooter (16-17, 94%).

#1 – Tyeree Bryan – 6’5″ – SR – Guard – (Santa Clara, Charleston Southern, Indian River State College) – 6ppg, 4rpg.

• Tall “Three and D” guard off the bench;
• Can take it off the bounce, but prefers to hang out around the perimeter and shoot wide open three-pointers;
• BEST from the wing three (14-25, 56%).

#6 – Leon Horner – 6’4″ – SO – Guard – 4ppg, 3rpg.

• Decent back-up guard;
• Likes to backdoor cut to the basket. Don’t lose him!;
• He REALLY want to force his way to the basket. I’d give him a little space beyond the three-point line.

#8 – Nolan Groves – 6’5″ – FR – Guard – 1ppg, 2rpg.

• Not likely to play much;
• They’ve had to use him recently, as they have been riddled with injuries;
• Capable of making a three if he gets in, but not a threat anywhere else (4-17, 24%).

What I’ll Be Watching…

1. Who gets clamped down? I have Christian Anderson as my “Head of the Snake”…who will Kelvin Sampson look to take away? Will it be Anderson or Toppin? Will they both get theirs, and the Coogs look to ensure Watts and the others are completely taken away?
2. Will the depth affect Tech? IF the guys who have been injured recently remain out, they will only play seven while Houston will likely play 9-10. The goal should be to get one to two of their guys in foul trouble and get into their bench.
3. Defensive Communication. Houston will need to communicate at a high level and be connected at their highest rate of the season. Toppin is an excellent skip passer, and with Tech’s elite shooters, it will be imperative for the Coogs to recover quickly and not allow wide-open shots.
4. Who is the TOUGHEST team? The two programs are eerily similar, both built on toughness and grit. The Coogs have had their toughness challenged at times this year. This one could easily come down to a toughness play. UH won at Cincinnati with Ramon Walker Jr. taking a massive charge down the stretch. I’ll be looking for something similar to occur on Tuesday night. TOUGHEST TEAM WINS!!!

CATS! follows the game