Okay, I'm getting excited about our return to March Madness. I wanted to do a more in-depth analysis than this, but alas, I have no time. Basically, all I keep reading/hearing about is how great Tech can execute in the half-court, specifically how they are excellent at setting screens. What we lack in experience, we hopefully can make up for with effort, especially on the defensive end. We also will have to be physical, as one way of disrupting offensive execution is to body up on screeners and those coming off the screen. Impede their progress as much as the refs will let you, and make the other team work for everything. I'm sure Afflalo will do his part, but we will need everyone to be physical, including our big guys.

On offense, my assumption is that Tech will play straight-up man with no planned double teaming. If this is the case, it is a given that we need to get Dijon Thompson the ball, and we will need him to create things. We also will need Farmar to break the defense down, and we need our big guys to take advantage of their size (Tech has a small front line). Like all of our games, if our big men can provide an offensive threat inside, it will make everything easier for us on the perimeter.

If you haven't heard, Brian Morrison is hampered with a thigh contusion and has not been practicing. We're thin enough as it is depth-wise, so we're much better off if he can go, his eradic play notwithstanding. An interesting thing to look for: sometimes when a shooter is injured, he focuses more on his fundamentals and takes fewer off-balance shots, thereby improving his shot selection. maybe this injury will force morrison to make better decisions and play more under control (I can dream, right?)

Here's a picture to get you fired up about the game:


if that doesn't make you too sick and you want to see more about Texas Tech, you can go to the Tourney Cental page at their website. All of our local papers also have plenty of tourney coverage, and today's Daily Bruin had a huge section dedicated to the tournament.

In any event, I expect us to come out with plenty of intensity after the Oregon St. loss. Hopefully that will translate to production, and not miscues. Go Bruins!