Red Raiders take on Louisiana Tech

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-3) are looking to rebound from their disappointing loss to Centenary when they play Louisiana Tech (1-4) on Wednesday night at the United Spirit Arena. RaiderPower.com breaks down the matchup and gives you the Keys to the Game if the Red Raiders want to come out victorious.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-3) are looking to rebound from their disappointing loss to Centenary when they play Louisiana Tech (1-4) on Wednesday night at the United Spirit Arena. 

This is the 9th meeting between the two teams, with Texas Tech leading the series 7-1.  Of all the games played in Lubbock, the Red Raiders lead 3-1.  The game will be broadcast on the Texas Tech Television Network at 7:00pm Central Time.

2006-2007 Record – Overall (10-20), Conference (WAC: 7-9)
2006-2007 Postseason – None
Coach – Kerry Rupp (1^st Season)

Last year, the Red Raiders defeated Louisiana Tech on the road in Ruston, Louisiana, (66-59).  After going 10-20 last season, Coach Keith Richard was fired and Kerry Rupp, an assistant under Mike Davis at Indiana and UAB, was named the replacement.


2007-2008 Season

The Bulldogs have a record of 1-4 going into Wednesday’s game.  They have recorded losses to Mississippi State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Arkansas-Little Rock, and Southeast Missouri State.  Their sole win came at home against Louisiana Lafayette (64-56).  Guards Kyle Gibson and Jonathan Clark are leading the team in scoring with 14.4 and 8.4 points per game. 

Future NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone has been involved with his alma mater as a part-time strength coach and director of basketball promotion in an effort to turn Louisiana Tech’s program around.  The Bulldogs had some success as recent as the 2005-2006 season where they went 20-13 to advance to the NIT.  A key player in their success was Paul Millsap, the NCAA rebounding king for three seasons at Louisiana Tech, who now plays for the Utah Jazz.


Keys to the Game

1.  Free throws, Free throws, Free throws!  We have now painfully witnessed two games that Tech should have won but didn’t partly due to bad free throw shooting (Sam Houston State and Centenary ‘07)

2.  Better Rebounding.  Tech was out-rebounded 39-28 by Centenary. 

3.  Defending the Perimeter.  Limit Louisiana Tech’s three point shot attempts.  They are attempting 16.4 per game, but thankfully are only making 28%.  Centenary shot 50% from behind the arc against Tech, making 9 of 18.