Kansas State Wildcats Hope To End Losing Streak Against Texas Tech Red Raiders

Jan 18, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Trombone players with the Kansas State Wildcats pep band perform before the start of a game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas State Wildcats (14-6, 4-3) will face the visiting Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-10, 2-5) Tuesday evening in Manhattan. K-State should have a good chance of getting back to winning ways after losing two straight games, while the Red Raiders desperately need to turn their season around after losing seven of their last ten.

Kansas State has currently won seven in a row against Texas Tech, their longest winning streak against any Big 12 opponent.

Here is all the information you need to catch the game:

Who: Texas Tech Red Raiders (Big 12 Conference)

Head Coach Tubby Smith comes into a program that is trying to rebuild. His challenge has been made difficult after losing Josh Gray to transfer, Trency Jackson to academic ineligibility last season, and the player they were hoping to fill in those spots in the back court, Daylen Robinson.

Smith has a tough job in his first season, taking over an 11-20 team that only won 3 conference games from interim coach Chris Walker that filled in following Billy Gillispie’s resignation after allegations of player abuse.

Jan 18, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward

(11) is blocked out by Kansas State Wildcats forward

(42) and guard

(12) during the Mountaineers

Keys to the Game:

1: Thomas Gipson: After scoring 20 or more points in two straight games, Gipson had a tough outing against Iowa State; scoring only 4 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 28 minutes played. Texas Tech relies on their front court team of Jaye Crockett and Jordan Tolbert, their two leading scorers and rebounders, and Gipson needs to be aggressive in his rebounding and defense. Kansas State will most likely be relying again on their guards for scoring, but on Gipson and the other big men to keep Texas Tech in check on the other end.

2. Rebounding: Thomas Gipson, D.J. Johnson, and Nino Williams need to dominate the rebounding stats in this game. Texas Tech ranks 228th nationally in rebounds per game, while the Wildcats sit at 88th. If K-State can keep the Red Raiders off the boards, preventing second-chance points, then the Wildcats should have a much easier time breaking their losing streak and could even run away with this game. On the offensive end, strong rebounding can help make up for K-State’s lower shooting percentage.

3. Three Point Shooting: K-State has shot over 40% from behind the arc in three of their last 4 games, which is kind of unbelievable considering their poor shooting for much of the season. Let’s be honest, the Wildcats are never known for their great shooting but it looks to be improving. K-State needs to be smart with their deep shots though, as sometimes they’re a little too quick with the trigger. Texas Tech has a lack of depth, especially in their back court, and they are young too. The Wildcats are also young, but they look to be much more talented and should try to take the ball in and draw fouls or get easier shots if they can instead of relying on deep shots.

Where: Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, KS

When: 7:00 PM CT

Tuesday Jan. 28

Television: Big 12 Network

Radio: K-State Sports Network