While some are still lamenting a performance at TCU that wasn’t the crispest game for the Cyclones the team is preparing for their next game which is similar in a few ways. A trip back to Texas to play one of the worst BCS level basketball teams in the NCAA. One main difference that may benefit the Cyclones will show up when we take a closer look at the preferred tempo of each team. Texas Tech is 1-4 in the Big 12 and their one win was at TCU in a 62-53 victory. Their best win per Ken Pomeroy is over 203rd North Carolina A&T (85-74; the Cyclones beat North Carolina A&T 86-57).Â
Jaye Crockett has been the leading performer when it comes to scoring for the Red Raiders in terms of points scored and the percentage of the team’s made shots and attempted shots. Dejan Kravic and Josh Gray are also big contributors in the Red Raider offense.  Dusty Hannahs is one of the better three point shooters in the league and has made 25 of his 63 attempts while making 2.44 per 50 possessions.
The bulk of the Tech rebounding is handled by Crockett, Tolbert, and Kravic. Daylen Robinson and Gray are leading the way in playmaking with assist percentages of 20.6% and 21.9%, respectively. Gray’s steal percentage is the best for either team as is Kravic’s block percentage.  Also, Gray’s turnover percentage is the worst of either team.
One other interesting note is the foul percentage and how ISU’s top three players in terms of possessions played per game foul at the lowest rate of either team.
When the Red Raiders have the ball…
The advantage that I spoke of earlier; the Red Raiders while nearly as poor of a team as TCU have one major style difference than the Horned Frogs—they play with a much faster tempo. Texas Tech averages 70.31 possessions per 40 minutes which is the 2nd most in the Big 12 (Iowa State is the most at 71.88) and they have the 60th fastest adjusted tempo in the NCAA according to Ken Pomeroy.
Shooting inside the arc is one strong suit for Tech as they make 14.36 two point shots per 50 possessions and shoot 50.71% from inside the arc. Their offensive rebounding percentage of 36.16% is the 5th best in the Big 12. That matches up with what is still the best defensive rebounding percentage in the league with Iowa State and there 71.69 defensive rebounding percentage. Cyclone opponents are making just 30.28% from behind the arc (3rd in the Big 12) and their opponent two point field goal percentage and overall field goal percentage are 5th in the league. That is all while being 8th or worse in turnover percentage, steal percentage, block percentage, and assist percentage.
When the Cyclones have the ball…
Iowa State legitimately has one of the best offenses in the Big 12 and that is evident by their Big 12 best 1.11 points per possession and three pointers made per 50 possessions. With the second best three point accuracy, two point accuracy, and effective field goal percentage while playing with the quickest pace in the league they have proven to be an
offense that is difficult to handle. That will be especially true, even on the road, for Texas Tech who has one of the worst defenses in the league.
The Cyclones assist percentage is third best in the league with almost 60% of their made shots coming from assists. The assist to for ISU isn’t far behind at 4th in the league.
The Red Raiders are last in points per possession, points per field goal attempt, three point field goal percentage, two point field goal percentage, etc etc…turnover ratio for ISU isn’t far behind at 4th in the league.
Their one bright spot as been the manufacturing of steals at 12.42% of possessions. However, in their five conference games that steal percentage is at just 8.86%. Their lower defensive rebounding percentage could also be susceptible to the Cyclones and their 3rd best offensive rebounding percentage in the Big 12.
The Cyclones will be able to play at their pace much more easily than at TCU or even against West Virginia or Texas. As long as the Cyclones aren’t completely cold from the floor and they can handle the length and athleticism from Texas Tech—primarily on the offensive glass—then Iowa State should be fine. I’ll think they’ll win in a 14-16 point game with a final score in the neighborhood of 75-60. in a game this season—both previous highs came against Iowa) but they still came away with a road win in the conference. That is the case but I think Iowa State will come out a little bit more focused as they notch their second consecutive road game.
It’s weird that we’re a high scoring team in the traditional sense and in the PPP sense, and that we get a large number of possessions but when I watch we still don’t seem to score that much or really play that fast. Maybe just bc the league as a whole doesn’t score well and doesn’t run much? Not sure. Just weird.