Game Preview – #1 Purdue (5-0) vs. #15 Texas Tech (4-1)

The Baha Mar Championship Game is set, and it’s the most anticipated matchup in the bracket with #1 Purdue (5-0)taking on #15 Texas Tech.

Purdue took care of business first, taking down Memphis 80-71, before Texas Tech won in the final minute against Wake Forest 84-83.

That means Purdue will not play its former player, Myles Colvin, and instead, the stage is set for two of the nation’s top players to square off: Braden Smith and JT Toppin.

But what makes Purdue and Texas Tech so dangerous is its second option is just about good as its first. Both teams have two of the best second options in the nation.On a night where Trey Kaufman-Renn played just 27 minutes and fouled out, he still had his third double-double of the season. Kaufman-Renn missed Purdue’s first two games of the season and has come out with a vengeance. He’s had a double-double in all three games of the season he’s played while also winning National Player of the Week last week after his performance at Alabama and against Akron at home. The All-American is averaging 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists on the season.

For Texas Tech, Christian Anderson is one of the nation’s best point guards. He was great again against Wake Forest, scoring 16 points and dishing 8 assists. That’s below his season average of 19.5 points and 9 assists.

It’s a star-studded match up of two of the best duo’s in the country.

Purdue has the nation’s best offense according to Kenpom. Texas Tech has the 12th best offense.

With four of the nation’s top players possibly cancelling each other out, it might come down to both team’s role players. That’s an encouraging sign for Purdue. Fletcher Loyer is averaging 17 points next to Braden Smith and had 20 points against Memphis. CJ Cox had 19 points for Purdue while transfer big man, Oscar Cluff, had 11 points and 7 rebounds.

For Texas Tech, three other players average double-figures for the Red Raiders.

Donovan Atwell is averaging 15.3 points a game, LeJuan Watts is averaging 14, and Leon Horner is scoring 10. All three of them are shooting 48.6% or better from three.

Both offenses score efficiently, but it could come down to which elite offensive rebounding unit controls the glass. Both teams are grabbing more than 40% of their misses this season.

It’s two national title contenders meeting in the Bahamas on a Friday Night with matching strengths and four of college basketball’s biggest stars.

Purdue is looking for its fifth straight MTE Tournament victory while Texas Tech tries to make its case as one of the nation’s best teams by beating the #1 team in the nation.