Tightening defense key as Red Raiders visit physical K-State
Texas Tech saw how quickly things could turn sour when it suffers early defensive lapses.
During a 74-57 loss to Texas on Saturday, the Red Raiders failed to stop the dribble penetration of Longhorn guards Sheldon McClellan and J’Covan Brown. The pair had little trouble knifing through the Tech defense to create shots — or trips to the free-throw line — for themselves and teammates.
Tech trailed 17-4 barely five minutes into the game.
It’s the kind of start Tech can’t afford at 7 p.m. today if it has any chance to compete with Kansas State inside a sure-to-be rowdy Bramlage Coliseum.
Tech has fallen into double-digit holes early in each of its last two road games. With limited offensive firepower, such deficits make keeping games close a near impossible undertaking.
Reversing the trend has to begin on the defensive end, where the Red Raiders (7-15, 0-10 in Big 12) have surrendered an average of 77 points in their last two games.
“We have to be much better defensively,” Tech coach Billy Gillispie said. “In the past we have had teams that have been very physical and very defensive oriented and we scored off our defense. We didn’t really let anybody get any offensive rebounds, and we’re totally opposite of that right now. But that’s what we’re working toward.”
In order to thrive on the defensive end against Kansas State (16-6, 5-5), the Red Raiders will have to find a way to match the physicality of the Wildcats, something Tech was unable to do in a 69-47 loss when the two teams met on Jan. 25 in Lubbock.
“They physically whipped us,” said Gillispie, whose team was outrebounded 35-25 and outscored 36-20 in the paint.
One result of Tech’s defensive struggles this season, particularly of late, has been an overwhelming advantage for opponents at the free-throw line. The Red Raiders’ inability to contain dribble penetration leads to defenders being out of position, which has caused foul problems.
Tech’s last three opponents have made 89 trips to the line, where they have converted at an 85 percent clip. The Red Raiders have shot just 26 of 43 (60 percent) during that stretch.
Despite those statistical deficiencies, K-State coach Frank Martin believes the Red Raiders have improved since the teams met two weeks ago.
“We are going to get a group of guys that fight like heck,” Martin said, “and Billy will have them playing the right way.”
Gillispie said the Red Raiders will be playing a K-State team “desperate for a win” as it attempts to improve its NCAA tournament resume.
“We just have to play our game and play our defense and execute on offense,” said K-State guard Angel Rodriguez, who scored 13 points, all in the second half, in a win over Texas A&M on Saturday. “The game will take care of itself.”
To comment on this story:
nick.kosmider@lubbockonline.com
• 766-8735
george.watson@lubbockonline.com
• 766-2166
College basketball
■ Who: Texas Tech at Kansas State
■ When: 7 p.m. today
■ Where: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kan.
■ Records: Tech 7-15, 0-10; K-State 16-6, 5-5
■ TV: Big 12 Network (Fox 34 News Now; Suddenlink Cable channel 9); ESPN 3
■ Radio: 104.3 FM
■ Last meeting: K-State 69, Tech 47 on Jan. 25 in Lubbock
■ Last time out: Texas 74, Tech 57; K-State 64, Texas A&M 53
Comments (3)
Add commentI Say Again
I said before the conference started I thought Billy Clyde could run the table with this pack of poodles. I think he's gonna make it. I expect we will lose BCG.
Facts
Hey Facts, ever notice no one pays attention to your constant negative comments. Gee it must be nice to live alone & have no life. Your constant attention grabbing attitude in nauseating to say the least. Apparently you haven't been paying attention to BCG. You see he actually see what has to be done. Why do you think he ridded the program of all but three players. He may do that again, but he will turn the program around with or without your so called support. You should really volunteer somewhere like a homeless shelter so you can see the results first hand of an attitude like yours. Don't try to be positive, noooo, that's to difficult. The negative is the easiest road. Defeatest are always right. It takes more muscles to smile than frown. It takes more effort to stick by someone and encourage them instead of tearing them down. Good day to you FactsRNegative, you need help!
@BigD
There isn't enough talent on this years' Tech roster to give Lubbock's Trinity Christian School's team a decent game. I will say that Tech might have 2 chances tonite against KSU; slim and none.......BCG is doing a real bang-up job coaching. After all, he signed these puppies to play here. If they had had any talent, they would be at Baylor etc.