Game Info

Good Guys: Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-1, 0-0)
Bad Guys: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-1, 0-0)
When to Watch: Thursday, November 20th @ 7:30 pm
Where to Watch: Baha Mar Convention Center | Nassau Bahamas
How to Watch: CBSSN
How to Listen: 97.3 FM | Affiliates | Varsity Network
The Line: Texas Tech -8.5

Advanced Stats

Lineups

* Assists.

Starting 5

1. Stats. Wake Forest is an average offensive team, maybe top third . . . however, they do one thing really well, which is rebound the offensive boards, 57th in the nation. Other than that, they are 182nd in 3-point shooting, 191st in 2-point shooting, 211th in free throw rate, and 105th in turnover rate. Defensively, they are much better. They are 43rd in opponent turnovers, 14th in defending the 3-point shot, and 66th in the nation in block percentage. Now, I think that we have to be a bit careful in that they’ve played American, Morehead State, and UMass Lowell (in addition to a 1-point loss to Michigan in OT). That’s not to make fun of the schedule, but to point out that those results may be a bit wonky because of who they have played.

2. Scouting. Juke Harris is the Deac’s best player and he’s a high usage player that does a lot. He’s highly effective inside, making 75% of his shots and a mid 3-point shooter, just 35%. Spillers is a guy that’s getting a ton of buckets as a mid-range guy and makes his free throws at an 87% rate. Calmese is the ball distributer, but doesn’t have the ball in his hands. Schwieger is a terrific shot-blocker (Spillers is a good shot-blocker too).

3. How They Match Up. Wanted to take a look at what Texas Tech actually is as well. The team offensively is top 25, low turnover, 50th in the nation, and a very good rebounding team, 26th overall, while being a pretty good 3-point shooting team, 60th in the nation. Defensively, there are a few issues, 210th in opponent offensive rebounds, and 128th in forcing opponent turnovers, and 157th in free throw rate.

Anderson is scoring at a really high rate without having the ball in his hands a ton. He’s a high-steal and assist guy and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. Atwell is making 47% of those 3-point attempts, but he’s not contributing anything on the boards or assists. He’s purely catch-and-shoot. I think I also need Bryan to maybe do a bit more considering he’s playing 70% of available minutes. Not a strong rebounder or scorer at this point. Toppin is terrific everywhere inside the 3-point line, 72% of close 2’s, 60% of all 2-point shots and is an outstanding offensive rebounder.

To truly see what this team is capable of, we need for Watts to get fully integrated, same thing with Bamgboye, which will allow Toppin to play the power forward and probably a better match-up. Moseley could really be a beneficial option at the power forward to help defensively and just be a pest on the glass. Need some bodies to get healthy.

4. lagniappe | something given as a bonus or extra gift.

5. Official Site. The official site has their preview right here:

No. 15 Texas Tech is Bahamas bound for the second time in three seasons this week where it will play in the Baha Mar Championship for the first time. The Red Raiders (3-1) are coming off an 80-63 win over Milwaukee last Friday to respond from a four-point loss at No. 14 Illinois on Tuesday and are now set to take on Wake Forest (3-0) at 7:30 p.m. (CST) on Thursday with the game to be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Tech’s game will follow a 5 p.m. matchup between No. 1 Purdue (4-0) and Memphis (1-2) which will set up Friday’s matchups at the event. Tech is making its Baha Mar debut but did play in the 2023 Battle 4 Atlantis in head coach Grant McCasland’s first season leading the program.

“We’re excited about our trip to the Bahamas,” McCasland said. “Especially with the competition that is going to be there. Wake Forest is a tremendous team that played great to start the season and had Michigan on the ropes. We know we have our hands full and are excited to travel and get to spend some time together and play great opponents.”