Texas Tech basketball: Three Kansas Jayhawks to know
As the Texas Tech basketball team prepares for Saturday’s road game at Kansas, fans can get ready to by familiarizing themselves with these three key Jayhawks.
It’s time for the Texas Tech basketball team’s annual trip to Phog Allen Fieldhouse where the Red Raiders are just 1-18 all-time. But that one win did come during the Chris Beard era (2018) so there’s at least a trace of hope for an upset when the Red Raiders hed to a building that has been this program’s house of horrors over the years.
In fact, in a series that dates all the way back to 1959, Tech has had only two contests in Lawrence decided by less than 10 points. That was of course 2018’s 85-73 win and a 67-58 loss in 2015.
On the other hand, Tech suffered a 109-51 beating in 2008, an 89-63 humbling in 2010, an 83-50 depantsing 2012, and a 79-42 bludgeoning in 2013.
Of course, those were some of the worst Red Raider teams to ever come through the program. Thankfully, those days are behind us.
This year’s two-game set between these teams figures to be more evenly-matched. What’s more, the Raiders and Jayhawks have split their last four meetings with each team winning at home last season and the road teams taking both games in 2018.
KU comes into this game scoring 76 points per game, 2.4 more than Tech. Meanwhile, they allow just 60.4, which is 3.1 less than Tech gives up.
No. 3 in the nation, KU has an impressive resume thus far. At 17-6 overall and 6-1 in the Big 12, their only losses have been to top 10 teams Duke and Baylor as well as a one-point loss at then No. 18 Villanova. The Wildcats are now ranked No. 8 in the country.
But what is missing from the Jayhawks’ season thus far is a marquee win. Their best victory so far is a 60-53 win at home against West Virginia to open Big 12 play. Aside from that win over what was then the No. 16 team in the nation, they have only one other against a ranked team, No. 20 Colorado in Lawrence.
A factor working against Tech in this one is the fact that KU has already dropped a home game, 67-55 to Baylor. Thus, history suggests they aren’t likely to lose another game at The Phog this year.
Aside from their four home losses in 2017-18, the last time the Jayhawks lost more than one home game was the 2006-07 season. In other words, a Tech victory in this game would be one of the rarest occurrences in college basketball.
So let’s take a closer look at this year’s Jayhawks by getting to know three key players that the Red Raiders will have to contend with. And we will begin by focusing on the Big 12’s leading scorer.