Texas Tech Men’s Basketball Faces Undefeated Little Rock

The Texas Tech men's basketball team hits the USA today, December 22nd, at 2 pm for the 3rd time in a 7 day span against undefeated Little Rock. This will be the last game before a 7 day break for the Red Raiders.

“You’re always worried about your team’s focus and concentration level this time of year,” Texas Tech head coach Tubby Smith said. “The holiday season is a special time, and it’s a different feel without students on-campus. Our guys have responded the right way coming off a good performance against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but we know we will have our hands full against a very talented Little Rock team.”

The Red Raiders (8-1) have won 7 straight after starting 1-1, including an emphatic 40-point win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last time out. Tech's defense has held the opponents to a 32.1 field goal clip during its last four games.

Little Rock (10-0) is coached by Chris Beard, who spent 10 years as an assistant coach at Texas Tech under head coaches Bob Knight and Pat Knight from 2001-11. Beard and the Trojans have won six of its 10 games to start the season by double figures. Most recently, the Trojans tucked away an 84-57 triumph over Northern Arizona. The Red Raiders have won the three previous meetings with Little Rock, most recently a 93-59 decision during the 2006-07 season.

Fans can purchase tickets to Tuesday’s game for as low as $5 on gameday in person at the United Supermarkets Arena Ticket Office starting 90 minutes prior to tipoff. Tickets also are available online courtesy of www.TexasTech.com. Texas Tech Athletics invite fans to arrive early, and the first 1,000 fans will receive a Texas Bowl poster.

“We’re making less mistakes defensively which indicates that we are improving. We’ve narrowed our sets that we run offensively, and that’s helped." Smith said, "I think we have a good defense, and that’s what we are going to have to hang our hats on.”

The Trojans are one of six remaining undefeated teams in the nation and are receiving votes in the latest edition of the Top 25 poll. Little Rock’s 10-0 start is the best in Sun Belt Conference history.

Marcus Johnson Jr. has notched a team-leading 15.0 points per game and reached double figures in five straight games highlighted by a 28-point performance versus Central Arkansas on Dec. 1. He has buried 22 of his 48 field goals from three-point territory and connected over 50 percent of his shots.

“They don’t make many mistakes, and they communicate well as a team,” Smith said. “On the defense end, they do a good job of taking away your initial cuts with their switching. They really pack it in defensively and try to limit you to one shot. They have sound, fundamental defensive principals. They challenge every pass but don’t extend themselves where you can get easy baskets. Marcus Johnson, Jr. is a special player and is as quick as lightning. He can take you off the dribble, and score from anywhere. His three-point range makes him that much more dangerous. They are well-coached and play very unselfishly.”

Source: Texastech.com