Virginia vs. Texas Tech: Who Wins and How?

The big championship game is tonight and it isn't between two bluebloods. In fact, it's between two schools who've never won the title. As good as Virginia's been with the likes of Ralph Sampson coming from the school, they've never won the title. As for Texas Tech, they haven't won a whole lot of anything in sports, so this is their opportunity to score a title. What do these two schools need to do to hoist their first title tonight?

• Texas Tech Wins If: They control the tempo. In the Elite Eight win against Gonzaga, the Red Raiders forced Rui Hachimura to shoot 8-for-19 from the field and gave the Zags no good looks. In their Final Four tilt with Michigan State, they suffocated Cassius Winston by reducing him to only making four field goals (out of 16 attempts) the entire night. The Red Raiders play man-to-man heavily and they love to protect the paint. If Texas Tech slows Virginia down immensely tonight and dictates the pace, Chris Beard's squad will hoist the first title in Texas Tech's basketball history.
  
• Texas Tech Loses If: They turn the ball over too much. Texas Tech had 24 turnovers at the hands of Duke in their December 20th loss and had 17 turnovers in their January 19th loss to Baylor. If Texas Tech doesn't take care of the basketball, Virginia will have a shot to win and even pull away from the Red Raiders. Offensively, Texas Tech isn't the best, so they'll need to be careful. Hitting their three-pointers is also key.
  
• Virginia Wins If: Their guard play is on point. The Cavaliers' three-headed monster of De'Andre Hunter, Kyle Guy, and Ty Jerome are the generals on the floor for the Cavaliers and they'll need to figure out a way to open up Texas Tech on the inside. If Hunter and Jerome can match Texas Tech on defensive intensity, the Cavaliers will be in good hands en route to their first championship in school history.
  
• Virginia Loses If: Foul trouble becomes a big deal. Ty Jerome got into this issue in Virginia's Final Four game and Auburn erased a ten-point deficit late in the game. Luckily, a set of circumstances (i.e. a late foul, missed Auburn free throw, and a non-double dribble call) swung in Virginia's favor late in that game en route to a win. Jerome and company must avoid getting Texas Tech to the foul line because the Cavaliers look completely different without any of those three on the floor.