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Michigan State vs. Texas Tech: What to watch for in the Final Four semi

Josh Duplechian / NCAA Photos / Getty

A glimpse at the second of the Final Four semifinals before the games tip in Minneapolis on Saturday:

Need-to-know info

Time: 8:49 p.m. ET

Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

TV: CBS

KenPom ratings: Michigan State No. 3, Texas Tech No. 5

All-time series: This is the first meeting.

What to watch for

A defensive struggle inside

Michigan State and Texas Tech bring two of the best defenses in the country to U.S. Bank Stadium, especially on the interior.

The Spartans rank second in the nation in 2-point defense (41.8 percent), while the Red Raiders are third (42 percent).

Texas Tech, led by Tariq Owens, is a top-10 shot-blocking team, and Michigan State is in the top 20.

That'll pose an interesting challenge for Texas Tech, which has scored more than 54 percent of its points in the NCAA Tournament inside the arc.

Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Strength on strength

To get to the Final Four, Texas Tech took down the most efficient offense in the nation in Gonzaga.

But it's a battle of strengths again Saturday, as the Red Raiders (No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency) face the Spartans (No. 5 in adjusted offensive efficiency).

The stat that jumps out for Michigan State on offense is assist rate. The Spartans assist on 67.1 percent of their made baskets, the most of any team in the country, and guard Cassius Winston has 31 assists in four tournament games.

Texas Tech, meanwhile, plays with the goal of taking opponents out of anything they want to do. Red Raider foes have just 46 assists in comparison to 63 turnovers in the NCAA Tournament. They simply make it hard at times to complete passes, let alone take good shots, and graduate transfer Matt Mooney is a steal maven.

The hottest team in the country

Since the start of February - so, two whole months now - Texas Tech has been the best team in the country.

The Red Raiders have won 13 of their last 14 games. Ten of those victories have been by double digits, including wins by 20 and 19 over Buffalo and Michigan in the NCAA Tournament.

The difference down the stretch has been that Chris Beard's squad has added a potent offense to its No. 1 defense.

Texas Tech struggled offensively early in Big 12 play, scoring less than one point per possession in eight of 10 games from Jan. 2-Feb. 2.

Since then, they have scored a point per possession or better in all 14 games.

Jamie Schwaberow / NCAA Photos / Getty

Players to watch

Michigan State: G Cassius Winston (18.9 ppg, 7.6 apg)

The one area the Spartans have a clear advantage Saturday is at point guard, where Winston has been terrific. He had 20 points, 10 assists, four steals, and only one turnover against Duke in the Elite Eight.

Texas Tech: G Jarrett Culver (18.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg)

Is there a player who has boosted his name recognition more than Culver in this tournament? The surefire lottery pick began with a 29-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist masterpiece against Northern Kentucky and hasn't stopped since.

(Advanced stats courtesy: Ken Pomeroy)

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