Seton Hall @ Texas Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 16, 2010 ) Texas Tech 87, Seton Hall 69

Ismael Sanogo doesn't score many points, but that doesn't mean he isn't important to No. 24 Seton Hall, which will face No. 22 Texas Tech Thursday in the Under Armour Reunion at Madison Square Garden. Sanogo's defense prowess was critical in the Pirates avoiding a second straight defeat ahead of their meeting with the undefeated Red Raiders in New York City.

The senior got his first start of the season last week in a win over Vanderbilt and responded with season highs of eight rebounds and four blocked shots. "Ish sets the tone on defense," senior Desi Rodriguez told the media. "It takes the weight off our shoulders. That's why we consider Ish to be the best defender in the country." Sanogo and the rest of the Pirates will have their hands full with a Texas Tech squad that has shot 50.4 percent as a team during its resurgence under coach Chris Beard, who starts five seniors. Keenan Evans leads the Red Raiders in scoring despite being held scoreless in the most recent win over Savannah State.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT SETON HALL (5-1): The switch to point guard full time is still a work in progress for Khadeen Carrington, who finished with one point against Vanderbilt, the fewest he has scored in his career. "I thought this was the first time he played like a pure point guard because he set the tone defensively," coach Kevin Willard told the media. "He just has to get used to having the amount of defensive attention he's getting." The senior and 1,000-point scorer has been held to single digits three times this season, which is one fewer than all last season.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (6-0): Jarrett Culver doesn't start, but he's quickly turning into one of the better players for the Red Raiders, who have started 6-0 for the sixth time in program history. After taking four games to adjust to college play, the freshman guard has exploded for 39 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the past two games for the Red Raiders. Fellow freshman Zhaire Smith played his best game against Savannah State, notching a career-high 17 points for the Red Raiders, who defeated the Pirates 87-69 in their lone meeting in the first round of the NIT in 2010.

TIP-INS

1. Texas Tech has received 250 points from its bench, which is second in the Big 12.

2. The Red Raiders have won their six games by an average margin of 28 points, including a 36-point victory over Northwestern.

3. Since Willard became coach in 2010-11, the Pirates have posted 13 wins against ranked teams, including seven in their last 11 opportunities.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 82, Seton Hall 77