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Texas Tech basketball: Four critical games in second-half of Big 12 play

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 26: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders positions his players during the second half of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on January 26, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Arkansas 67-64. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 26: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders positions his players during the second half of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on January 26, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Arkansas 67-64. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks the basketball against JD Miller #15 of the TCU Horned Frogs (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks the basketball against JD Miller #15 of the TCU Horned Frogs (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Monday vs. TCU

Just two days after the Red Raiders tangle with the Horns, they have an opportunity to avenge the season’s worst loss when TCU comes to Lubbock.  Back on January 21st, Tech laid this year’s biggest egg by shooting just 23.5% from 3-point range while allowing TCU forward Desmond Bane to go off for 27 points in a 65-54 Horned Frog win.

What is concerning about the rematch is that TCU proved in the first matchup to be somewhat of a mismatch from a personnel standpoint.  Most notably, Tech was dominated by the Frogs’ 6-foot-11 center Kevin Samuel who had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks.

On the other hand, we shouldn’t expect the Red Raiders to play as lethargically at home against the Frogs as they did in Fort Worth.  If there was ever a game when Beard’s team should be motivated to hand out some payback, it should be on Monday night when a national television audience will be tuning in.

It would seem like TCU is going to come into that game on a tremendous losing streak.  Unless they win at Kansas on Saturday, they will arrive in Lubbock having not won since beating the Red Raiders as they have lost their last four games with three of those being double-digit humblings.

Regardless, TCU sits at No. 72 in the NET rankings as of Friday.  Thus, they could present an opportunity for a Quadrant 2 win if they do not fall out of the top 75 after (presumably) losing to Kansas.

We saw how dangerous of a team the Frogs can be when Bane hits shots the way he did in Fort Worth.  He’s one of the Big 12’s best scorers and he has already proven capable of carrying his team past Texas Tech.  The Red Raiders simply can’t afford to let that happen again because if they do, they will miss out on an opportunity to secure a home win that would help boost their resume.

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