Wreck'Em Red
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Texas Tech basketball wins vs. KU have been rare but exciting

By Matthew Conner

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 02: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on January 2, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 02: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on January 2, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

This weekend, the Texas Tech basketball team will have an opportunity to do something that has proven rare for the Red Raiders, beat Kansas.  So let’s take a look at the previous wins over the Jayhawks in hope that it sends some good vibes our way on Saturday.

Though it might pain most Texas Tech basketball fans to admit, the truth is that the Big 12 has only one true measuring stick; Kansas.  That’s why each time the Red Raiders take the floor with the Jayhawks, it is an important game, regardless of the standings, because it provides an opportunity to score a signature win for the program.

Unfortunately, those wins have been rare.  Tech is just 5-34 agains the Jayhawks, by far its worst mark against any Big 12 team.

And struggling against a program with the history of Kansas is not totally surprising for a program the level of Texas Tech.  KU has been playing college basketball for 120 years and is the second-winningest program in the nation with 2,248 wins entering this season (15 fewer wins than Kentucky).  What’s more, Kansas’ .724 winning percentage is third-best all-time behind Kentucky (.764) and North Carolina (.738).

Tech has gone 4-14 against KU in Lubbock and just 1-17 in Lawrence.  The series began in 1959 when KU beat Tech 85-71 at home.   In fact, the Jayhawks would take the first nine meetings in the series with Tech’s first win not coming until 1999.

But this year’s Kansas team appears vulnerable, especially on the road.  At just 2-6 away from home, KU has lost to Texas, West Virginia, Iowa State, Kentucky, Kansas State and Arizona State.  In fact the only Big 12 teams KU has beaten on the road are TCU and Baylor.

Perhaps because of that, ESPN.com’s matchup predictor gives Tech a 72.7% chance of winning Saturday night.  And a win by the Red Raiders would be a monumental moment in the Big 12 race by virtually ending Kansas’ streak of 14-straight regular season titles.

So there is reason to believe that this could be another memorable night in Lubbock.  Therefore, let’s take some time to remember the previous five wins Tech has scored over the flagship program in the conference in hopes that we can soon add another to this list.

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