No. 25 Texas Tech at No. 2 Kansas

GAME TIME:	Saturday, 4 p.m. ET
LAST MEETING:	Kansas 94, Texas Tech 82 (Jan. 6, 2001)
SERIES:	Kansas leads, 11-1

	Andre Emmett, who averages over 20 points in Big 12 play, will be a tough matchup for Kansas

Bob Knight has, arguably, done the finest coaching job of the season this year at Texas Tech. He is, without argument, the Coach of the Year among coaches in the first year at a school.

Since taking over last March, Knight has instilled a new attitude in Lubbock, and the Red Raiders have responded by winning 16 games against only 5 losses. With quality wins over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wyoming, Minnesota, TCU and New Mexico State, Texas Tech sits in the RPI Top 20 and will march to the NCAA Tournament in Knight's first year.

By any standard, Texas Tech has made a remarkable turnaround. Kansas is, quite simply, one of the best two teams in the country along with Duke.

Texas Tech runs straight motion offense, employing dizzying downscreens, backscreens and fadescreens, featuring a lot of screen and re-screen action. The Red Raiders work the ball for quality shots, and shoot a very good percentage from the field in most games. Few teams in America run motion, primarily because it is difficult to teach and to execute, and most coaches are more comfortable running patterned offenses that are easy to understand, and therefore easy to scout and plan for.

Texas Tech is paced offensively by its three primary scorers, Andre Emmett, Andy Ellis and Kasib Powell. Emmett is perhaps the most difficult matchup in the Big 12, and is an outstanding post player. He has a knack for getting the ball to the rim, and he is very strong and determined around the goal. Emmett averages over 20 points in Big 12 games, and scored 29 of Texas Tech's 62 points against Oklahoma State. Ellis is a skilled shooter who can hit from the perimeter or score in the post, and Powell is an athletic swingman that can play out on the perimeter and often has to be covered by a guard, a match up that favors Texas Tech.

Where the Red Raiders need consistent play is from the guard spot. Will Chavis is a solid handler and passer with the ability to hit open shots; Nathan Doudney is a terrific shooter; and Nick Valdez knows how to play and is a fine passer that makes very good reads.

Texas Tech cannot afford to be discouraged after a close loss at Oklahoma State. The Red Raiders led the Cowboys by 15 points in the second half before falling in the last minute, 64-62.

Tech runs into a group of Jayhawks who are the most balanced team on the college basketball landscape, with one of the finest backcourts in the country, and the best frontcourt in the nation.

If not for Jason Williams, Drew Gooden would walk away with the National Player of the Year award. Gooden leads the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding, and has been consistent at a high level. Nick Collison and Wayne Simien help Gooden form a frontcourt that is skilled, athletic and tough, and all can run, rebound and score around the basket. Kirk Hinrich is one of the five best guards in the nation, and over the last six games he is averaging 16 points on 60-percent shooting to go with six assists. Along with Aaron Miles, Jeff Boschee and Keith Langford, Roy Williams has a quality corps of guards who can handle, pass, shoot and defend.

What makes Kansas really tough is that it changes ends faster than any team in the country. The Jayhawks, behind their great transition game and productive secondary break, average over 90 points per game, and shoot over 51 percent from the field as a team. The Jayhawks rebound well collectively, shoot well from the perimeter, especially in transition, and guard well.

Kansas is 9-0 in Big 12 play, a full two games ahead of Oklahoma, three games up on Missouri, and four games ahead of Texas Tech.

Key matchup: Emmett vs. Gooden

Texas Tech does not have anyone to match up with Gooden, who is having a magnificent season. But Kansas will likewise have a difficult time with Emmett. While these two will be the most fun to watch, Hinrich against the Red Raider guards could be the difference.

Key Stats: Transition Defense and Rebounding

For Texas Tech to win, the Red Raiders have to start at conversion. The Red Raiders have to get back quickly and find people in transition to stop Kansas' great fast break and secondary break. Kansas is a very good rebounding team, and can dominate opponents on the glass. To have an opportunity to win at the Phog, one of the five toughest places to play in the country, Texas Tech (0-6 at Kansas) has to get back in transition and send all five guys to the defensive glass on every possession.

What to watch For: Watch Knight's team run motion offense in the halfcourt. It is a joy to watch when it is run well, because Knight has taught his team how to play, how to make reads and how to move with a purpose. Watch how the Red Raiders come off screens, and slip screens on help situations or switches. On the other end, watch how Kansas runs the floor, pitches ahead, and how the Jayhawks execute the secondary break. Kansas easily scores over half of its points off of its secondary break.