2026 Big Dance Round 1 - Texas Tech

[kreed5120]

Doubtful I'm going to this, but I thought I'd share if others were interested. I've never been here before so no idea how the TV setup or atmosphere is.

 

 

[ZipForNow]

26 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

Doubtful I'm going to this, but I thought I'd share if others were interested. I've never been here before so no idea how the TV setup or atmosphere is.

 

 

It's a really cool space. I have been there for some university functions, awards and such. I have no idea how they will set it up for the Watch Party, but I imagine they have thought this through. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

https://x.com/DavidSkoczen/status/2034638446380138687?s=20

 

[Zippy87]

Understanding the Advanced Statistics Behind the Texas Tech and Akron first-round Matchup https://share.google/Vo4bGxWdCKmulP4Va

 

Really good preview here. 

[Reslife4Life]

Anyone going to the watch party tomorrow? Planning on getting there at noon and if the set up is bad it leaves me time to reassess 

[tolbob]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

Understanding the Advanced Statistics Behind the Texas Tech and Akron first-round Matchup https://share.google/Vo4bGxWdCKmulP4Va

 

Really good preview here. 

Interesting article for us analytics guys.  Points out two factors that may favor Zips (and a few that don't).

1, Advantage Zips in bench points. I discount that somewhat. NIce to bring in fresh bodies but bench points depends on who starts and who plays the most minutes.

2. Advantage Zips in more points in the paint because TT relies on more on 3's.  I can understand TT reliance on 3's more due to the Big 12 conference and playing Houston, etc.  I suspect they will attempt more in the paint shots that usual. I'm sure Groce will be ready for that as well. 

GO ZIPS1

[Zippy87]

I'm hoping our gameplan is to attack the hoop like we did in the 2nd half against Toledo. It helps create a more efficient offense and opens up better looks on the perimeter. 

[Zips1991]

Nice post here on IG with the guys having a good time interviewing each other on slide 2

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWFSWo7iY4W/?igsh=cnp3OWx2ZGUyamM2

[kreed5120]

25 minutes ago, tolbob said:

Interesting article for us analytics guys.  Points out two factors that may favor Zips (and a few that don't).

1, Advantage Zips in bench points. I discount that somewhat. NIce to bring in fresh bodies but bench points depends on who starts and who plays the most minutes.

2. Advantage Zips in more points in the paint because TT relies on more on 3's.  I can understand TT reliance on 3's more due to the Big 12 conference and playing Houston, etc.  I suspect they will attempt more in the paint shots that usual. I'm sure Groce will be ready for that as well. 

GO ZIPS1

 

I actually feel those metrics don't even fully show how 3-pt dependent they are. You have to remember JT Toppin was taking ~15 2-pt fgs per game. He's obviously no longer playing so I would imagine in the last 5-10 games their 3-pt attempts are even further up as much of those attempts got absorbed by their perimeter shooters, namely Atwell and Anderson.

 

Edit: Atwell in particular we have to run off the line. He averages 9.4 FGA per game. 8.5 of the are 3-pointers. I'm guessing the other .9 is him having his toe on the line /s.

Edited 18 hours ago by kreed5120

[NWAkron]

https://open.substack.com/pub/akronzippedup/p/game-preview-akron-faces-off-with?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

 

Excellent preview of tomorrow's game with all the relevant stats...from ZippedUp.

[Zippy87]

Akron shot 75% overall from the free throw line this season. However, they have struggled at the line in March:

 

CMU - 6/11 (54%)

NIU - 8/12 (66%)

Buffalo - 11/18 (61%)

Kent - 17/27 (63%)

Toledo - 3/9 (33%)

 

Overall - 45/77 (58%)

 

Definitely something to watch tomorrow. 

 

[Zippy87]

Christian Anderson not listed on Tech's injury report. 

 

https://x.com/i/status/2034825537747619977

Edited 12 hours ago by Zippy87

[AkronAlumnus]

What a time to be alive, Go Zips!! 

[LZIp]

Let’s go!

[VAZip]

Today has got to be the day…and please make your free throws! Go Zips!

[Let'sGoZips94]

7 hours ago, Zippy87 said:

Christian Anderson not listed on Tech's injury report. 

 

https://x.com/i/status/2034825537747619977

 

Good. I don't want the extra excuses. This also doesn't mean he's fully healthy. Make him run - make em all run. We have the depth - they don't. 

 

LET'S GO ZIPS!

[ZipForNow]

High Point coach:

"High Point and Miami (Ohio) are 2-1 in Quad 1 games. We couldn't get games. They couldn't get games," Clayman said. "Akron, UNC Wilmington, Belmont couldn't get games. We won 22 of our last 23 games and we didn't move up one spot in the metrics. Not one. We won 22 of our 23. We've won 25 games by double-digits.“

[ZippyforPresident]

 

[csims0917]

Somebody needs to get hot. Bowen, Tavari, Shammah, Sharron idc. Just someone needs 30 and someone else needs 20+. Make your free throws. Get Texas techs bigs in foul trouble. And our bigs need to avoid foul trouble. (I still remember freeman getting fouled out against ucla to this day). Under 10 turnovers. Disciplined ball with some hot shooting. And even then still might need more. 

 

To quote Optimus Prime “Now all we need a little bit of energon, and a lot of luck”

[LZIp]

Please let today be our day. We are so due.

[kreed5120]

23 minutes ago, csims0917 said:

Somebody needs to get hot. Bowen, Tavari, Shammah, Sharron idc. Just someone needs 30 and someone else needs 20+. Make your free throws. Get Texas techs bigs in foul trouble. And our bigs need to avoid foul trouble. (I still remember freeman getting fouled out against ucla to this day). Under 10 turnovers. Disciplined ball with some hot shooting. And even then still might need more. 

 

To quote Optimus Prime “Now all we need a little bit of energon, and a lot of luck”

 

With Toppin out I don't feel their bigs are particularly skilled and they have plenty of warm bodies to run out there if 1 gets in foul trouble.

 

It's going to come down to limiting Atwell and Anderson. They seem very thin at guard as both only get a couple minutes of rest each game. If Anderson gets in foul trouble or aggravates his groin injury that would be a massive boost. He's more important to Texas Tech's offense (post Toppin) than Tavari is to ours.

Edited 4 hours ago by kreed5120

[csims0917]

53 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

With Toppin out I don't feel their bigs are particularly skilled and they have plenty of warm bodies to run out there if 1 gets in foul trouble.

 

It's going to come down to limiting Atwell and Anderson. They seem very thin at guard as both only get a couple minutes of rest each game. If Anderson gets in foul trouble or aggravates his groin injury that would be a massive boost. He's more important to Texas Tech's offense (post Toppin) than Tavari is to ours.

Great counter point! They showed on the preshow yesterday for Ohio State that Texas Tech was also in the top 5 for % of points from starters. They were around 86%. The bench doesn't do a whole lot. 

[Zippy87]

I feel more nervous today than I have any of the previous tourney games. Maybe it's seeing a single-digit point spread. Maybe it's knowing how much we are losing next year. Maybe it's the outside noise about Groce getting offers to go elsewhere. But this feels like a pretty gigantic game for our program and its future. 

[Illini Zip]

I unfortunately have to work right through the game. I will be trying to sneak a peak at the score. If anyone comes across a way I can watch a replay I would greatly appreciate it. I know it’s on TruTV so I’m thinking not.

[VAZip]

1 minute ago, Illini Zip said:

I unfortunately have to work right through the game. I will be trying to sneak a peak at the score. If anyone comes across a way I can watch a replay I would greatly appreciate it. I know it’s on TruTV so I’m thinking not.

NCAA March Madness app shows a condensed game replay…around 10 minutes long or so