Iowa State-Texas Tech Preview and Prediction

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Date:  January 21st, 2012

Time:  4 PM CST

Where:  United Spirit Arena

TV:  ESPN2

Spread:  Iowa State (-4.5)

Preview:  Billy Gillispie is known for quickly turning around programs, but year one in Lubbock isn’t going so well.  The Red Raiders are currently 7-10 overall and 0-5 in the Big 12.  To be fair, Gillispie has no talent on this team and is forced to play a lot of young guys.  Six of the freshman are averaging at least 10 minutes per game.  The young guys can’t stop turning the ball over (44 turnovers in the last two games).  Gillispie does have a nice player in Jordan Tolbert.  Tolbert leads all Big-12 freshman in points per game and rebounds per game.

I’ve barely watched Texas Tech this year, but I doubt they have someone strong enough to stop Royce White (I could be wrong).  The key to the game is simple, give it to Royce down low and don’t turn it over.  If they simply do those two things, they should easily win.  I believe they will and the Cyclones finally win get a win at Tech (haven’t won in Lubbock since 2000).

Prediction:  Iowa State 72, Texas Tech 59