Tech

[WichitaSooner]

Needless to say, we should definitely all prepare for another defensive battle where offense is going to be very difficult to come by and nothing will look pretty. For those who found yesterday awful to watch, you may want to skip this one, or just get your complaints ready in advance. Tech hasn't played a great schedule, but their D is incredible, and even held Duke down. For those who follow such things, they haven't allowed more than .9 points per possession in any game. If we defend at a high level, we'll likely find ourselves in a close, low scoring game. Free throws and/or one guy getting hot for either team could be the difference.

 

[AdaSooner]

OU fans should be accustomed to winning ugly by now. We asked for better defense last year, and we got it.

Defensive teams win ugly sometimes. Pretty is last year’s team in the first half of the season. Pretty is Duke’s transition offense with fast breaks, ally-oop slams and three pointers.

This year’s OU team is made up of blue collar workers with calloused hands who aren’t afraid to get floor burns, if that’s what it takes to win games. I like pretty basketball as much as anyone. But, I like winning more.

 

[MsProudSooner]

It wasn't the defense that made yesterday's game ugly. It was the whistles.

 

[opsooner]

Yes. If you didn’t like Kelvin then you probably haven’t liked the past 2 games. We are playing the way we have to play to get the most success for this team. I expect us to battle Tech from start to end. If enough open shots fall (when we do get them) we have a chance. Doo is going to continue to be a key player for us. Have a feeling that Odomes will also be a key player in this one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stormspencer]

Tech's defense is outstanding (obviously). They are top 10 in multiple categories including eFG% defense and Turnover rate. One thing we have to do is take care of the ball. Tech's offense gets a decent percentage of their points off turnovers/transition. Otherwise, their offense struggles more than ours does in the halfcourt. They don't shoot the ball well at all from 3.

I think the one area Tech can be exploited is rebounding. They are "middle of the road" when it comes to their rebounding metrics. Need to get some offensive boards because we are likely going to have a tough time getting a lot of good shots. We also need to limit their 2nd chance opportunities because they likely are not going to shoot a high percentage either.

http://barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Texas+Tech

 

[skyvue]

I think the one area Tech can be exploited is rebounding. They are "middle of the road" when it comes to their rebounding metrics.

We are currently #1 in the country in defensive rebounds, tied for 160th in offensive rebounds, tied for 55th in total rebounds and tied for 49th in rebound margin.

Tech is tied for 94th in defensive rebounds, 241st in offensive rebounds, tied for 231st in total rebounds and ranks 51st in rebound margin.

I don't totally understand how they rank 51st in rebound margin, considering how low they rank in the other categories, but I guess it has to do with their solid defense. They're tied for 21st in turnovers forced, while we're tied for 249th.

 

[stormspencer]

We are currently #1 in the country in defensive rebounds, tied for 160th in offensive rebounds, tied for 55th in total rebounds and tied for 49th in rebound margin.

Tech is tied for 94th in defensive rebounds, 241st in offensive rebounds, tied for 231st in total rebounds and ranks 51st in rebound margin.

I don't totally understand how they rank 51st in rebound margin, considering how low they rank in the other categories, but I guess it has to do with their solid defense. They're tied for 21st in turnovers forced, while we're tied for 249th.

I believe a couple of components come into play here regarding their rebounding margin. One, their margin has a lot to do with Tech and their very slow pace (less possessions per game).....which would reduce the total number of rebounds available to them on a per-game average. This is why the total rebound numbers for them seem really low (#94 and #241 as you pointed out).

They also feasted on some cupcakes earlier in the season and that probably skews the margin more in their favor (they likely limited those weaker teams to one shot and then mixed in a few offensive rebounds cumulatively to expand their "margin").....just speculation on my part.

 

[sperry]

For those who are inclined to gamble...

Under. This game should be an epic Kelvin Sampson style rock fight.

 

[Soonerinkc]

Trying to have no expectations but that the guys to play hard..
Said it a million times...Doo just needs to let loose.

 

[oudna]

..Doo just needs to let loose.

How much looser are you wanting him to let?

He’s taking 10 shots per game and scoring 14 over the last 4 games

 

[oudna]

We are currently #1 in the country in defensive rebounds.

Combined with 9th in the nation in opponent’s FG%

That’s how you go 12-2 against a great schedule!!!

 

[TulsaWorld]

Preview from Eric Bailey...

Oklahoma is not being eased into the Big 12 basketball schedule this season.

The Sooners opened play at Kansas last week and then had a heated rivalry contest against Oklahoma State on Saturday.

On Tuesday night, it’s another tough test for the Sooners when they visit No. 8 Texas Tech.

Three tough contests in seven days can test most teams, but for OU coach Lon Kruger, it’s just another week in the Big 12.

“You can probably pick out any three-game stretch, and it’ll probably be similar,” Kruger said. “Those first three seem like, ‘Wow, that’s tough.’ But then the next three (TCU, Kansas State, at Texas) is kind of the same thing.

“That’s the nature of the league, but that’s good. It’s hard. It’s a grind. That’s why the league has been the best in the country over the last four, five, six years and will be that way again.”

 

[vbdad]

Ro ability to play in this game is questionable because he struggles to penetrate against good defenses. We need him to be able to make some plays.

 

[WichitaSooner]

As simplistic as it sounds, this game will come down to whether we can make jump shots. Tech's defense is designed to prevent teams from getting to the basket. They force teams to beat them from perimeter, so we need James, Manek, and maybe another player to shoot better than they have the past few games. And our guards can't get out of control when they do attempt to drive -- make the smart play and don't turn it over or force shots that have little chance of going in.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

FWIW, the betting line opened with Tech as a 6 point favorite, and has moved up to 7 points.

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-basketball/odds/las-vegas/

 

[CoachTalk]

Ill take OU by 4 tonight to pull the upset. Manek breaks out of his funk, james gets his 18 and we do a tremendous job on Culver. Muni plays enough for 10-10 game.

 

[inoref]

Should be a down to the wire type game if both teams play well, low scoring.

 

[Soonerinkc]

How much looser are you wanting him to let?

He’s taking 10 shots per game and scoring 14 over the last 4 games

Didn't know the stats...just by watching he seems still pretty tentative at times. He made the 12 ft jumper at the end of the osu game the other night and smiled...that's what I'm talking about.

He's had several open looks in that area...and MOST of the time he looks to pass...even a couple of times looked ...I don't know..confused...pressured..something.

I'm behind him...the kid had talent and size. Hopefully he continues to shoot more.

Kruger himself said he needs to take what he does in practice and transfer it into the game...so there is something to it.

 

[coolm]

Kruger himself said he needs to take what he does in practice and transfer it into the game...so there is something to it.

I have heard Kruger at least 5x say "Doolittle needs to open up and let it go" or something along those lines. So it's definitely a thing.

 

[Max Power]

I believe a couple of components come into play here regarding their rebounding margin. One, their margin has a lot to do with Tech and their very slow pace (less possessions per game).....which would reduce the total number of rebounds available to them on a per-game average. This is why the total rebound numbers for them seem really low (#94 and #241 as you pointed out).

They also feasted on some cupcakes earlier in the season and that probably skews the margin more in their favor (they likely limited those weaker teams to one shot and then mixed in a few offensive rebounds cumulatively to expand their "margin").....just speculation on my part.

Also, when you force turnovers like they do (21st in the nation) there is no shot to rebound. I think this, and their pace, just mean there aren't as many rebound to be had, but they grab most of them when the opportunity presents itself