Texas Tech Lady Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks Preview: Premium Post Play
The Kansas Jayhawks are 1-0 in conference and have a great opportunity to string together a few wins, as they play in the friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse for the next two games. But as with most of the Big 12, neither of these games are ones that Kansas can take lightly.
Tonight's opponent is the Texas Tech Lady Raiders, who are off to a hot start this season and looking to get back on the winning side after a tough loss in their conference opener. How will they attack the Jayhawks, and how is Kansas set up to counter?
Opponent Overview
Team: Texas Tech Lady Raiders
Record: 12-2 (0-1 Big 12)
Net Rating (via CBB Analytics): 64th (79th offense, 99th defense)
Line: TBA
Team Form
The Lady Raiders are coached by head coach Krista Gerlich, who is in her third season at Texas Tech. Her record at the school is 33-36. They are coming off a season where they finished 11-19 overall, with a 4-14 Big 12 record that put them 8th in the standings.
This season, the team is shooting 43.5% overall and 35.0% from three-point range. They are better from the free throw line, but their 77.2% mark isn't overwhelmingly great. In terms of offensive approach, they are mainly a slow-paced, half-court set offense that looks to get the ball into the paint for their shots. They take less than 30% of their shots from beyond the arc, but a staggering 33.4% of their shots at the rim.
Texas Tech averages 70.7 points per game, 36.7 rebounds per game, 14.0 assists per game and 7.6 steals per game. They turn the ball over an average of 15.1 times per game. Their 18.6% turnover percentage on the season isn't great, but they have been better in the last 5 games, turning the ball over on 17.2% of possessions.
Players to Watch
The Tech offense runs through Bre'Amber Scott, who has scored in double figures in four of the last five games and leads the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game. She also leads the team in rebounds with 6.0 per game and blocks with 0.5 points per game. Unfortunately, she has been very inefficient with those points, only making 33.3% of her field goal attempts.
She is joined on the perimeter by Rhyle McKinney, the only real three-point shooting threat. She shoots 41% of her shots from long range and makes 45.3% of them. Also, guard Bailey Maupin makes a respectable 35.7% of her three-point shots and is the best free throw shooter, making 90.4% of her shots from the line.
The post has two main options, with center Jazmaine Lewis being the main scorer and rebounder down low. Forward Bryn Gerlich isn't far behind in the scoring department and she has arguably the best hands and court vision, leading the team in both assists and steals.
Matchups to Watch
Given how much Texas Tech likes to go into the post, the obvious answer here is center Taiyanna Jackson. The Big 12 Co-Player of the Week has been an absolute force on the boards, and she can help set the tone early and often if she can control the paint. And she should have plenty of help from Chandler Prater and Ioanna Chatzileonti. As a team, Kansas is one of the best in the nation in the last 5 games, rebounding 43.3% of their missed shots. Tech only gets an offensive rebound on 31.4% of their own shots.
Assuming that Kansas can limit opportunities in the post, Kansas is well equipped to handle the outside threats. Holly Kersgieter and Zakiyah Franklin are the main defenders out there, but Prater can shift out and Tulsa transfer Wyvette Mayberry has steadily improved throughout the season. Offensively, at least one of these players will get hot from outside and has a chance to lead Kansas in scoring, although it is hard to know who's night it is going to be.
The Jayhawks have shown the ability this year to play slow, as their offensive pace isn't significantly higher than Texas Tech's. However, they are constantly looking to turn good defense into quick offense, as shown by their 11.8 fast break points per game. That is an area where they can press a huge advantage in this game.
Prediction
Ultimately, this is a good home warmup before welcoming the ranked Baylor Bears to Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday. But the Jayhawks can't afford to take this game lightly, as the Lady Raiders are capable of going on a run.
I expect Coach Brandon Schneider to have the Jayhawks focused. Taiyanna Jackson provides a challenge that Texas Tech just isn't equipped to deal with, and I have a hard time seeing Zakiyah Franklin going multiple games without scoring significant points. Give me the Jayhawks in a commanding win.
Kansas 82, Texas Tech 65.
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