Tuesday, January 3
United Supermarkets Arena
8:15 PM
Texas Tech Athletics
vs
No. 7 West Virginia
Red Raider Preview: No. 7 West Virginia
January 02, 2017 | Men's Basketball
The Red Raiders have won three of their last five games against ranked opponents which include the last two at the United Supermarkets Arena.
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech men's basketball team will look to even up its Big 12 record and faces No. 7 West Virginia during its Big 12 home opener Tuesday at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Tip time is on-tap for 8:15 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by ESPNEWS in addition to the Watch ESPN app. David Saltzman and Stephen Howard will serve as the announcing team.
The Texas Tech Sports Network will carry the game live on its flagship stations 97.3 FM, 100.7 FM and 950 AM in Lubbock. Geoff Haxton and Chris Level will have the call. The radio broadcast also will be available on the Texas Tech Sports Network radio affiliates, online at www.TexasTech.com and the TuneIn Radio app. Fans can interact live with Tuesday's broadcast @GunsUpRadio on Twitter.
Texas Tech (11-2, 0-1 Big 12) will look to regroup from a 63-56 setback at Iowa State during its Big 12 opener last Friday. The Red Raiders held a nine-point advantage with nine minutes left before the Cyclones scored 20 of the final 24 points to take the seven-point decision.
West Virginia (12-1, 1-0 Big 12) moved up to the No. 7 spot in this week's Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls after a 92-75 victory at Oklahoma State on Friday. The No. 7 ranking is a season's best for the Mountaineers who have forced their opponents into a NCAA-leading 26.5 turnovers per game mostly utilizing their full court pressure.
"It's very difficult to duplicate West Virginia's pressure," Texas Tech coach Chris Beard said. "Every coach would tell you that. The common things that people do is you can play with six defensive players or seven defensive players in practice. You can tell your guys to play very physical and trap and stuff. We've done all these things. Really, what I think is important, is poise and composure and organization of how you're going to try and break the press. We've got to figure out a way to have lower turnover games. It's easy to talk about, but difficult to do, especially when you have the best pressing team in college basketball coming in here tomorrow."
The Mountaineers have won six straight matchups on the strength of season's sweeps over Texas Tech during the last three seasons. Overall, West Virginia holds a 9-1 series advantage. The Red Raiders nearly upended then No. 6 West Virginia last season in Lubbock. Texas Tech was up by four points before the Mountaineers scored the closing eight points in the final minute to earn an 80-76 win.
Fans can purchase tickets to Tuesday's game for as low as $12 online at www.TexasTech.com or in person at the United Supermarkets Arena Ticket Office which opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff.
Texas Tech is encouraging fans to arrive as early as possible to men's and women's basketball home games due to the temporary closure to the entrance and exit of the Commuter West Lot at the Texas Tech Parkway and Knoxville Avenue. This entrance and exit will be closed from Dec. 5 to Jan. 13 for construction. Fans are asked to use the entrances and exits off Indiana Avenue when arriving from the north along with the entrances and exits at Indiana Avenue and 18th Street when arriving from 19th Street or the Marsha Sharp Freeway.
About Texas Tech
The Red Raiders continue to be ranked inside the NCAA's Top 25 in field goal percentage (51.5 – 4th), rebounding margin (+11.6 – 6th), scoring defense (60.0 – 13th), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.52 – 14th) and fewest turnovers (11.1 – 25th).
Keenan Evans has managed a team-leading 13.5 points and collected 10-plus points in 10 of Texas Tech's 13 games on the season. The 13.5 points per game is 10th, while his 47.7 three-point percentage is 8th in the Big 12 rankings. Evans has started 45 consecutive games for the Red Raiders and dished out 35 assists against 12 turnovers over his last nine games.
Anthony Livingston has tacked on 13.0 points per game which is second on the team and 12th among the Big 12 leaders. The Evans-Livingston duo has combined for 46 of Texas Tech's 85 three-pointers on the season. Livingston has garnered double figures in back-to-back games for the second time this season and 45.5 three-point percentage is tied for sixth on the Big 12 list.
"I thought Anthony had a great first conference game in the Big 12, specifically in the first half," Beard said. "He showed up to play, hit big shots and was dialed in. In the second half, it was a straight learning experience. We've got to do a better job as coaches to help get the ball in positions where he can get shots. So, it wasn't just Anthony. It was a lot of things."
Zach Smith has hauled down 10-plus rebounds in three consecutive games and secured nine of his season's best 14 rebounds on the offensive end at Iowa State. He has improved his scoring mark to 13.0 points per game fueled by seven of last nine games with double digit points. Smith is rated among the league's Top 10 in five categories highlighted by his Big 12-leading five double-doubles. His 113 career blocks are second on Texas Tech's all-time list only behind Tony Battie with 162 rejections.
Aaron Ross has come off the bench in his last four games since returning to the lineup from injury. He has tucked away 11.5 points per game and will look to regain his form after being limited to six points during the Iowa State game. Ross has hit 11 of his 20 attempts on treys.
Devon Thomas continues to be the Big 12 leader and ranks second nationally with a 4.64 assist-to-turnover ratio. His 51 assists lead the team and his 3.9 assists per game is 10th in the Big 12. Thomas has already surpassed his assist total from last season and has five games with five or more assists most recently a career-high seven dimes at Iowa State.
Justin Gray has averaged 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. His 57.6 field goal percentage is tied for fifth. Gray has knocked down 51-of-79 of his two-point attempts this season and converted on 37-of-62 from the floor over his last nine games since moving into the starting lineup.
Thomas Brandsma, Shadell Millinghaus, Norense Odiase, Niem Stevenson and Matthew Temple round out Texas Tech's 11-man playing rotation. Stevenson has upped his mark to 8.2 points per game in the last eight games and pumped in seven points during his Big 12 debut at Iowa State whereas Temple has boosted his scoring clip to 5.0 points per game on 16-of-21 shooting over the last eight games.
About West Virginia
The Mountaineers are led by Bob Huggins who became the 10th NCAA Division I head coach to win 800 games with the team's 112-67 win over UMKC on Dec. 17.
West Virginia has opened Big 12 action with back-to-back road games in each of the last four seasons and have started with a 2-0 record the last three years.
The Mountaineers have four players averaging in double figures led by Esa Ahmad at 12.6 points per game which is 13th on the Big 12 leaderboard. He has reached double figures in nine of 13 games highlighted by a pair of 19-point efforts versus Temple and Manhattan back in late November.
Daxter Miles Jr. has added 10.7 points per game and provided 10-plus points in three of his last five outings. He racked up a season's best 22 points during the Oklahoma State game last time out.
Nathan Adrian has churned out 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He has grabbed 3.5 of his rebounds on the offensive end, second-highest in the Big 12 rankings. Adrian started the season with a run of seven straight games in double figures.
Jevon Carter has piled up 10.2 points coupled with 4.5 assists and a Big 12-leading 3.3 steals per game. The 3.3 steals also rank third in the nation. Carter has notched double figures in 10 of 13 games sparked by his last four outings. He dialed up 15 points, six assists and four steals at Oklahoma State.
Tarik Phillip has chipped in 8.4 points per game but came away with a 20-point performance versus Texas Tech during last season's game in Lubbock. Sagaba Konate has secured 5.0 points and 1.8 blocks per game with 12 of his 13 appearances off the bench.
"Talent – West Virginia's got really good players," Beard said. "They've got four or five guys that will be on the All-Big 12 ballot – several guys who will play for money and a couple guys who might play in the NBA. They've got a Hall-of-Fame coach that puts the talent in great positions. They've got a culture and a belief in their process. This is a West Virginia team put together to win the Big 12 this year, not just compete. That's very obvious to me."
Up Next
Texas Tech will face 12-time defending Big 12 regular season champions and No. 3 Kansas Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse. Tipoff is slated for 6:15 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by ESPNEWS along with the Watch ESPN app.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TexasTechMBB along with @TexasTechMBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Tip time is on-tap for 8:15 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by ESPNEWS in addition to the Watch ESPN app. David Saltzman and Stephen Howard will serve as the announcing team.
The Texas Tech Sports Network will carry the game live on its flagship stations 97.3 FM, 100.7 FM and 950 AM in Lubbock. Geoff Haxton and Chris Level will have the call. The radio broadcast also will be available on the Texas Tech Sports Network radio affiliates, online at www.TexasTech.com and the TuneIn Radio app. Fans can interact live with Tuesday's broadcast @GunsUpRadio on Twitter.
Texas Tech (11-2, 0-1 Big 12) will look to regroup from a 63-56 setback at Iowa State during its Big 12 opener last Friday. The Red Raiders held a nine-point advantage with nine minutes left before the Cyclones scored 20 of the final 24 points to take the seven-point decision.
West Virginia (12-1, 1-0 Big 12) moved up to the No. 7 spot in this week's Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls after a 92-75 victory at Oklahoma State on Friday. The No. 7 ranking is a season's best for the Mountaineers who have forced their opponents into a NCAA-leading 26.5 turnovers per game mostly utilizing their full court pressure.
"It's very difficult to duplicate West Virginia's pressure," Texas Tech coach Chris Beard said. "Every coach would tell you that. The common things that people do is you can play with six defensive players or seven defensive players in practice. You can tell your guys to play very physical and trap and stuff. We've done all these things. Really, what I think is important, is poise and composure and organization of how you're going to try and break the press. We've got to figure out a way to have lower turnover games. It's easy to talk about, but difficult to do, especially when you have the best pressing team in college basketball coming in here tomorrow."
The Mountaineers have won six straight matchups on the strength of season's sweeps over Texas Tech during the last three seasons. Overall, West Virginia holds a 9-1 series advantage. The Red Raiders nearly upended then No. 6 West Virginia last season in Lubbock. Texas Tech was up by four points before the Mountaineers scored the closing eight points in the final minute to earn an 80-76 win.
Fans can purchase tickets to Tuesday's game for as low as $12 online at www.TexasTech.com or in person at the United Supermarkets Arena Ticket Office which opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff.
Texas Tech is encouraging fans to arrive as early as possible to men's and women's basketball home games due to the temporary closure to the entrance and exit of the Commuter West Lot at the Texas Tech Parkway and Knoxville Avenue. This entrance and exit will be closed from Dec. 5 to Jan. 13 for construction. Fans are asked to use the entrances and exits off Indiana Avenue when arriving from the north along with the entrances and exits at Indiana Avenue and 18th Street when arriving from 19th Street or the Marsha Sharp Freeway.
About Texas Tech
The Red Raiders continue to be ranked inside the NCAA's Top 25 in field goal percentage (51.5 – 4th), rebounding margin (+11.6 – 6th), scoring defense (60.0 – 13th), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.52 – 14th) and fewest turnovers (11.1 – 25th).
Keenan Evans has managed a team-leading 13.5 points and collected 10-plus points in 10 of Texas Tech's 13 games on the season. The 13.5 points per game is 10th, while his 47.7 three-point percentage is 8th in the Big 12 rankings. Evans has started 45 consecutive games for the Red Raiders and dished out 35 assists against 12 turnovers over his last nine games.
Anthony Livingston has tacked on 13.0 points per game which is second on the team and 12th among the Big 12 leaders. The Evans-Livingston duo has combined for 46 of Texas Tech's 85 three-pointers on the season. Livingston has garnered double figures in back-to-back games for the second time this season and 45.5 three-point percentage is tied for sixth on the Big 12 list.
"I thought Anthony had a great first conference game in the Big 12, specifically in the first half," Beard said. "He showed up to play, hit big shots and was dialed in. In the second half, it was a straight learning experience. We've got to do a better job as coaches to help get the ball in positions where he can get shots. So, it wasn't just Anthony. It was a lot of things."
Zach Smith has hauled down 10-plus rebounds in three consecutive games and secured nine of his season's best 14 rebounds on the offensive end at Iowa State. He has improved his scoring mark to 13.0 points per game fueled by seven of last nine games with double digit points. Smith is rated among the league's Top 10 in five categories highlighted by his Big 12-leading five double-doubles. His 113 career blocks are second on Texas Tech's all-time list only behind Tony Battie with 162 rejections.
Aaron Ross has come off the bench in his last four games since returning to the lineup from injury. He has tucked away 11.5 points per game and will look to regain his form after being limited to six points during the Iowa State game. Ross has hit 11 of his 20 attempts on treys.
Devon Thomas continues to be the Big 12 leader and ranks second nationally with a 4.64 assist-to-turnover ratio. His 51 assists lead the team and his 3.9 assists per game is 10th in the Big 12. Thomas has already surpassed his assist total from last season and has five games with five or more assists most recently a career-high seven dimes at Iowa State.
Justin Gray has averaged 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. His 57.6 field goal percentage is tied for fifth. Gray has knocked down 51-of-79 of his two-point attempts this season and converted on 37-of-62 from the floor over his last nine games since moving into the starting lineup.
Thomas Brandsma, Shadell Millinghaus, Norense Odiase, Niem Stevenson and Matthew Temple round out Texas Tech's 11-man playing rotation. Stevenson has upped his mark to 8.2 points per game in the last eight games and pumped in seven points during his Big 12 debut at Iowa State whereas Temple has boosted his scoring clip to 5.0 points per game on 16-of-21 shooting over the last eight games.
About West Virginia
The Mountaineers are led by Bob Huggins who became the 10th NCAA Division I head coach to win 800 games with the team's 112-67 win over UMKC on Dec. 17.
West Virginia has opened Big 12 action with back-to-back road games in each of the last four seasons and have started with a 2-0 record the last three years.
The Mountaineers have four players averaging in double figures led by Esa Ahmad at 12.6 points per game which is 13th on the Big 12 leaderboard. He has reached double figures in nine of 13 games highlighted by a pair of 19-point efforts versus Temple and Manhattan back in late November.
Daxter Miles Jr. has added 10.7 points per game and provided 10-plus points in three of his last five outings. He racked up a season's best 22 points during the Oklahoma State game last time out.
Nathan Adrian has churned out 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He has grabbed 3.5 of his rebounds on the offensive end, second-highest in the Big 12 rankings. Adrian started the season with a run of seven straight games in double figures.
Jevon Carter has piled up 10.2 points coupled with 4.5 assists and a Big 12-leading 3.3 steals per game. The 3.3 steals also rank third in the nation. Carter has notched double figures in 10 of 13 games sparked by his last four outings. He dialed up 15 points, six assists and four steals at Oklahoma State.
Tarik Phillip has chipped in 8.4 points per game but came away with a 20-point performance versus Texas Tech during last season's game in Lubbock. Sagaba Konate has secured 5.0 points and 1.8 blocks per game with 12 of his 13 appearances off the bench.
"Talent – West Virginia's got really good players," Beard said. "They've got four or five guys that will be on the All-Big 12 ballot – several guys who will play for money and a couple guys who might play in the NBA. They've got a Hall-of-Fame coach that puts the talent in great positions. They've got a culture and a belief in their process. This is a West Virginia team put together to win the Big 12 this year, not just compete. That's very obvious to me."
Up Next
Texas Tech will face 12-time defending Big 12 regular season champions and No. 3 Kansas Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse. Tipoff is slated for 6:15 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by ESPNEWS along with the Watch ESPN app.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TexasTechMBB along with @TexasTechMBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Forward
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Guard
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Forward
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Guard
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Center
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
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/ Men's Basketball
Forward
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