Texas Tech basketball: Streaking Raiders return home to face Baylor

Saturday the Texas Tech Red Raiders, winners of three straight, return to Lubbock to try and make it four against the Baylor Bears.

The Texas Tech basketball team is one of the hottest in the Big 12 having won their last three games by double-digits. But to run their winning streak to four games, they will have to avenge last month’s disappointing loss to Baylor.

What Happened the First Time They Played?

Last month in Waco, the Bears pulled away in the second half to take a 9-point victory. Baylor hit 11 three-pointers, the second most allowed by the Red Raiders defense all season. (Kansas made 13 in their blowout win over Tech just a couple of weeks ago).

It was also the fifth time all season that a Tech opponent had a better Assist to Turnover ratio than the Red Raiders did. The Red Raiders are 1-4 in those games.

What Has Happened Since?

Baylor has gone 5-2 since that game and at 7-4 stands just a half game behind the Red Raiders in the Big 12. They dropped two straight before bouncing back this past Monday and beating Oklahoma for the second time this season.

Meanwhile, the Red Raiders lost their very next game at Kansas State but then went 5-1 with the one loss happening in Lawrence. They recently showed some signs of life on the road with wins at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Now they get to return home where they are 13-1 this season.

How Scary is Baylor?

Baylor is led by senior guard Makai Mason who scores about 16 points per game. He was 4-7 from the three-point arc back in January. Their #2 scorer, Tristan Clark, was lost to a knee injury just days before the first matchup.

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In that game, it was freshman guard Jared Butler who burned the Raiders with 18 points and 5 assists. He has scored at least eight points in six of his last seven games including four double-digit performances as he is emerging as one of the top freshmen in the Big 12.

Baylor’s three-point shooting has been much better in conference play, hitting 10 or more shots from deep in five of their seven conference wins. They have six different players not afraid to let it fly and when they get going, they are really tough to beat.

So What Happens on Saturday?

Texas Tech has defended the three-point arc really well this season. But Baylor and Kansas have managed to hit double-digits from out there and knock off the Red Raiders. Tech has seemed to figure that out in this current winning streak allowing opponents to shoot just 12/50 (24%) from long-range.

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As good as the Red Raiders have been at home, I think they come out strong on Saturday. Baylor is good enough to hang around but I would be surprised to see them hit 11 three-pointers again against what should be a very focused defense. Look for Texas Tech to take their win streak to four in what should be a game they pull away with in the second half.

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