Virginia vs. Texas Tech: What to watch for in the national championship
Here's a glimpse at the final college basketball game of the 2018-19 season as we preview the national championship matchup between Virginia and Texas Tech:
Key details
Who: No. 1 Virginia vs. No. 3 Texas Tech
When: April 8 at 9:20 p.m. ET
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: CBS
KenPom ratings: Virginia No. 1, Texas Tech No. 5
Betting line: Virginia -1.5
All-time series: 0-0
Storylines to watch
Great defenses, underrated offenses
More than anything, both teams are known for locking down their opponents. Virginia's pack-line defense is a Tony Bennett staple, while Chris Beard has Texas Tech playing with so much effort and toughness on D that it consistently overwhelms offenses.
But while neither squad produces a ton of points at the other end of the court, that's largely due to pace - rather than poor offense.
Virginia, while ranking dead last in adjusted tempo, actually has the third-most efficient offense in the country. It might take an average of 21 seconds per possession for a shot to go up, but the Cavaliers are one of the better 3-point shooting teams in the country.
Texas Tech ranks 28th in adjusted offensive efficiency, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The Red Raiders have scored a point per possession or better in 15 consecutive games, including their 61-51 slog over Michigan State. Each side only had 60 possessions in that game.
Of course, whether Virginia and Texas Tech can score on each other is another question entirely.
Which star steps up?
Virginia guard De'Andre Hunter showed signs of rediscovering his offensive game in the second half Saturday against Auburn, making all five of his field-goal attempts.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech guard Jarrett Culver, one of the two or three best players in the tournament during the opening two weekends, endured a 3-of-12 shooting night against Michigan State.
Both players are widely expected to be lottery picks in June's NBA draft, and both will need to produce against formidable defenses on Monday.
So far this season, Hunter's played six games against top-10 defenses (in adjusted efficiency) and averaged 12.8 points on 46 percent shooting - slightly down from his overall averages of 14.9 points and 52.1 percent.
Culver has suited up against five top-10 defenses, including two in this tournament (Michigan and Michigan State). In those games, he averaged 16.6 points on 38.7 percent shooting, down from 18.6 points and 47.1 percent overall.
A historic first - one way or the other
Regardless of the victor, a program will celebrate its first men's basketball national championship on Monday night.
It would be just the second NCAA title overall in Texas Tech history, adding to the 1993 women's basketball championship won with star Sheryl Swoopes.
Virginia has 25 championships, but none in basketball (men's or women's).
Additionally, there has been no first-time March Madness winner since Florida in 2006. And if Texas Tech claims the title, it will become the first school since UConn in 1999 to win the championship in its first-ever Final Four appearance.
Historically, a 1-seed and a 3-seed have met for the national title twice. The 1-seed (Duke in 1991, UNLV in 1990) won both times.
More players to watch
Virginia: G Ty Jerome (13.5 ppg, 5.4 apg)
With a combined 45 points and 13 assists against Purdue and Auburn, Jerome has been the Cavaliers' best player at the most important time.
Texas Tech: G Matt Mooney (11.3 ppg, 3.3 apg)
Mooney has a legitimate shot to be named Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four if Tech wins. His season-high 22 points against Michigan State were the difference in a low-scoring affair.
(Advanced stats courtesy: Ken Pomeroy)