Tobacco Road Report

Our preview for this game.

Site: Winston-Salem, NC
Day/Time: Thursday, 12:25 (ET)

Records and Statistics:
Boston College (20-11, 10-6)
EFG%: 52.6%
Points/Possession: 1.09
Points Allowed/Possession: 1.07
High Scorer: Jared Dudley 19.0 ppg.
Rebounds: Jared Dudley 8.3 rpg
Key Victories:
Virginia, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Maryland
Common Opponents:
Kansas (0-1)

Texas Tech (21-12, 9-7)
EFG%: 44%
Points/Possession: 1.05
Points Allowed/Possession: 1.06
High Scorer: Jarius Jackson 20.2 ppg.
Rebounds: Martin Zeno 5.3 rpg
Key Victories:
Kansas, Texas A&M (2), Arkansas, Kansas St.
Common Opponents:
Kansas (1-0)
Last 10 Games:
Boston College (5-5)
Texas Tech (6-4)

Analysis:
This matchup pits two coaches who emphasize discipline and intensity on both ends of the court against each other. Both teams have a combination of veteran and younger players with the Red Raiders getting the nod for bench depth. The negative efficiency margin for Texas Tech looks like a tough hurdle to overcome, but BC is barely in positive territory in this dimension. Look for a tough, hard-fought game with the outcome decided in the last few minutes.

Keys and Our Pick:
Both teams have enough questions about the quality of their play that you can justify picking either. Add in the Bob Knight factor, which is "Bob Knight is the one coach I would not want to face in an elimination game when he has several days to prepare," and picking BC seems even more risky. However, there are no real mysteries about either team. Their key scorers are known as well as their offensive schemes. In the end, if Dudley gets agressive, as TRR has been begging him to do, and Rice and Marshall come through with average or better performances for the Eagles BC wins and that' the pick.