Game Info
Good Guys: Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-6, 5-4)
Bad Guys: UCF Knights (13-8, 4-5)
When to Watch: Saturday, February 10th @ 3:00 pm
Where to Watch: United Supermarkets Arena | Lubbock, Texas
How to Watch: ESPN+
How to Listen: 97.3 FM | Affiliates | Varsity Network
The Line: Texas Tech -7.5
Advanced Stats
Lineups
| THE STARTERS | Pts / Reb | |
|---|---|---|
| POINT GUARD | Joe Toussaint (6-0/195) | 12.7 / 4.3* |
| SHOOTING GUARD | Pop Isaacs (6-2/180) | 17.3 / 3.6* |
| SMALL FORWARD | Kerwin Walton (6-5/210) | 8.0 / 2.2 |
| POWER FORWARD | Darrion Williams (6-8/225) | 9.3 / 6.7 |
| CENTER | Warren Washington (7-0/235) | 10.3 / 7.6 |
| THE BENCH | Pts / Reb | |
| SIXTH MAN | Chance McMillian (6-3/185) | 10.5 / 3.5 |
| SEVENTH MAN | Lamar Washington (6-4/200) | 2.6 / 1.6 |
| EIGHTH MAN | Robert Jennings (6-7/230) | 2.9 / 2.3 |
| NINTH MAN | KyeRon Lindsay (6-8/215) | 2.0 / 0.3 |
| TENTH MAN | Eemeli Yalaho (6-8/240) | 0.3 / 0.2 |
| ELEVENTH MAN | D’Maurian Williams (6-3/195) | 0.3 / 0.4 |
| TWELFTH MAN | Jack Francis (6-3/185) | 0.7 / 0.3 |
| THIRTEENTH MAN | Devan Cambridge (6-6/210) | Out for Year |
| THE STARTERS | Pts / Reb | |
| POINT GUARD | Darius Johnson (6-1/200) | 13.1 / 4.0* |
| SHOOTING GUARD | Shemarri Allen (6-4/190) | 7.3 / 4.3 |
| SMALL FORWARD | Jaylin Sellers (6-4/196) | 17.2 / 4.2 |
| POWER FORWARD | Antwann Jones (6-6/215) | 4.9 / 1.9 |
| CENTER | Ibrahima Diallo (7-0/246) | 6.2 / 6.2 |
| THE BENCH | Pts / Reb | |
| SIXTH MAN | Marchelus Avery (6-7/210) | 9.0 / 4.5 |
| SEVENTH MAN | Omar Payne (6-10/228) | 4.4 / 3.8 |
| EIGHTH MAN | Nils Machowski (6-2/180) | 1.9 / 0.9 |
| NINTH MAN | Thierno Sylla (6-11/216) | 4.9 / 3.8 |
| TENTH MAN | – (-) | – / – |
* Assists.
Starting 5
1. Stats. UCF and Texas Tech are opposites in a way, the Knights are not great on offense, one of the worst 2-point shooting teams in the nation at 299th, 278th in turnover percentage, and 232nd in 3-point shooting. The things that keep them afloat are the dreaded offensive rebounding percentage at 48th in the nation and free throw rate at 69th in the nation (nice). Both of those things bode poorly for Texas Tech. On defense, they are amazing, 6th in the nation in holding opponents 2-point shooting, 3rd in block percentage, 23rd in forcing turnovers, and 47th in holding opponents to offensive boards.
2. Scouting. Sellers is really good, a terrific 2-point shooter, but not a great 3-point shooter and he likes to shoot a ton from outside, 119 total shots, but only hitting 29%. Jones and Johnson are the main guys dishing out assists and guys grabbing steals on defense, while Diallo, Payne, and Avery are the main rebounders and they are quite good at it. Diallo and Payne are the primary shot-blockers.
3. How They Match Up. When UCF loses, it is because the offense sort of tanks, really low free throw rate and against Baylor, they just couldn’t stop an efficient offense. If Warren Washington and Lamar Washington return, it will help significantly, especially Warren. I don’t know how to beat size without size. Texas Tech is sinking into a pretty low place for defensive rebounding and that has to be remedied. Everyone has to box out. It would seem prudent to let UCF to shoot as many threes as they want (within reason) and I’d try to get to the line as much as possible.
4. lagniappe | something given as a bonus or extra gift.
5. Official Site. The official site has their preview right here:
No. 23 Texas Tech begins the second half of Big 12 play with a two-game home stand that starts against UCF at 3 p.m. on Saturday before hosting No. 4 Kansas at 8 p.m. on Monday at United Supermarkets Arena.
The Red Raiders (16-6, 5-4 Big 12) are 11-1 on their home court but will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak that was extended with a 79-73 loss at No. 13 Baylor on Tuesday night. The Knights (13-8, 4-5 Big 12) make their first trip to Lubbock after knocking off Oklahoma with a 74-63 win last Saturday in Orlando. The Jayhawks (18-5, 6-4 Big 12) host Baylor on Saturday night before the ESPN Big Monday matchup.