Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech basketball: 5 early-season games that will loom large in March

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
(Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

vs. San Diego St. or Creighton the next night

A day after the tussle with Iowa, Tech has to turn around and face either San Diego State or Creighton in Las Vegas.  These are two of the more under-the-radar programs in the nation and they can each jump up and bite the Red Raiders.

The Aztecs were 21-13 last year and finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference.  Brian Dutcher’s team will feature seven upperclassmen including Washington State transfer Malachi Flynn, a potential NBA draft pick and KJ Feagan, a grad transfer from Santa Clara.  That duo will be a tough guard tandem that will reveal quite a bit about Tech’s defense.

Meanwhile, Creighton is coming off a disappointing NIT bid last season.  But with four starters returning, head coach Greg McDermott is ready to get back to the Big Dance.

Unlike Tech, the Bluejays are experienced with six members of last year’s regular rotation returning.  Just like Iowa, they play in a rugged conference, the Big East, and will not be intimidated by the Red Raiders.

Playing such a quality opponent, as either of these teams look to be, just one night after playing Iowa will be a huge test for Tech, especially if the Red Raiders are coming off a loss.  Will the youth on the roster prove ready to do battle in back-to-back games?

This is a good simulation of what the NCAA Tournament is like with two neutral-site games against very good teams in the span of 24 hours.  Hopefully, this is a time when this new roster will come together by fighting a couple of tough wars together just weeks into the season.

Home/Texas Tech Basketball