Game Preview: Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Wichita State Shockers

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2009

#23 Texas Tech Red Raiders (9-0) vs Wichita State Shockers (9-1)

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Wichita State vs Texas Tech

The Wichita State Shockers will host the No.23 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday at the Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

These teams have only meet once on Dec 3, 2008. The Red Raiders won that one 72-69. Wichita State hasn’t played host to a nationally ranked non-conference team since No. 21 Mississippi came to town in 1997.

The Shockers are rolling past teams by an average margin of 19 points and come into Saturday’s match up against Texas Tech on a seven-game win streak — all by 12 points or more. Junior center J.T. Durley tied his career high with 19 points on Saturday night to lead the Shockers to an 80-68 victory over Texas Christian. Toure Murry had 17 points while Clevin Hannah tallied up 16 in the win. The Shockers have tied last season’s total for road victories with two, winning at Cleveland State and at Missouri-Kansas City. WSU’s only loss of the year, came against Pitt. A game in which the Shockers were out-shot at the free throw line 30-18.

The Red Raiders moved into the rankings on Dec. 7 and climbed to a No. 16 spot on Dec. 14 to be ranked for the first time in five seasons. Off to the teams’ best start in eight decades, the Red Raiders preserved their unbeaten streak as they rallied to an 80-70 victory at TCU on Dec. 8.  Junior guard John Roberson led the team with 21 points and dished out 10 assists, followed by Mike Singletary with 17 points and David Tairu with 14. This is the best start for Texas Tech since winning 12 in a row to start the 1929-30 season. The Red Raiders have had a 10-day gap between games, which could affect their play, either way.

The odds makers currently have Wichita State at –4-point favorites.

These two teams are very close statistically. However, the Shockers fans will present one of the most hostile environments the Red Raiders have seen this season. Shockers win this one with home court advantage.