SAN DIEGO — Coach Danny Sprinkle sort of already knew what his Montana State Bobcats would be in for on Friday. But just in case, as Sprinkle made the rounds doing prep work, a Big 12 coach whom he didn’t name made sure to remind him of Texas Tech’s threat: “They’re as real as it gets.”
Defensively, the Red Raiders entered the N.C.A.A. men’s basketball tournament leading the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency at 66.6 points per game, according to Kenpom.com. They ranked sixth nationally by holding opponents to 38.4 percent shooting. They limited Iowa State to 41 points in a conference tournament quarterfinal game, establishing a school record for fewest points allowed against a Big 12 opponent.