Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Texas Tech

#11 seed NC State will face #6 seed Texas Tech on Thursday night at 9:40pm. Before the Wolfpack and the Red Raiders tipoff, here’s look at NC State’s opponent.

Texas Tech

NET Ranking: 27th
AP Poll: 22nd
KenPom: 24th
Quad 1 Record: 6-9
Quad 3 or 4 Losses: 0

Wins Against Teams Ranked in the Top-25 at the End of the Season

78-68 vs. #14 Baylor (H)
79-50 vs. #17 Kansas (H)
81-67 vs. #21 BYU (N)
85-78 vs. #21 BYU (H)

The Red Raiders rank in 23rd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency (NC State is 47th), and 46th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (NC State is 85th).

Texas Tech is extremely balanced offensively, with practically 6 guys averaging 10+ points per game (1 of the 6, Devan Cambridge is out with a season ending injury)

Sophomore Guard Pop Isaacs leads Tech in scoring (15.9 ppg), but he shoots a meager 35.5% from the field. He has led Texas Tech in scoring in 4 of the last 6 games.

Senior Joe Toussaint ranks 2nd on the team in scoring, averaging 12.1 points per game, shooting 40.3% from the field.

Sophomore Darrion Williams rolled his ankle in the Red Raiders Quarterfinals victory over BYU in the Big 12 Tournament. As a result, he didn’t play for Tech in their loss to Houston in the Semifinals. On the year, Williams is averaging 11.4 points and 7.5 rebounds, which leads the team. He is lights out for Tech, shooting 50% from the field, and 47.5% from three. Williams earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors. He is expected to be ready for Thursday’s game.

Junior Chance McMillan is averaging 10.9 points per game, shooting 47.7% from the field, and 39.6% from beyond the arc.

7’0″ Senior Center Warren Washington was injured on February 12th, and didn’t play again until the 24th, but he was only able to play 13 minutes. Washington hasn’t played since the 24th, but he has been practicing with the team again, but his status for Thursday’s game is still up in the air. Williams averages 9.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

NC State has struggled at defending three-point shooters, allowing their opponents to shoot 34.8% from beyond the arc, which ranks 13th in the ACC. Texas Tech shoots 36.5% from three, which ranks 2nd in the Big 12.

Typically the Red Raiders take care of the basketball, turning the ball over 11.2 times per game, which ranks 4th in the Big 12. In the Big 12 Tourney, the strength became a weakness, turning the ball over 19 times against Houston, and 13 times against BYU. NC State turns over their opponent 12.5 times per game on average, which ranks 3rd in the ACC.