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Texas Tech basketball: Numbers to know ahead of rematch with Longhorns

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: A video is played and flames shoot up as the Texas Tech Red Raiders are introduced before the college basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on January 29, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: A video is played and flames shoot up as the Texas Tech Red Raiders are introduced before the college basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on January 29, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – JANUARY 25: Guard Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders stands for the National Anthem before the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats on January 25, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – JANUARY 25: Guard Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders stands for the National Anthem before the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats on January 25, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Tech beat UT the first time despite shooting 25% from deep

In almost every game this year, Tech has seen its fate determined at the 3-point line.  With its top three scorers, Jahmi’us Ramsey, Davide Moretti, and Kyler Edwards all relying heavily on the outside shoot, this team typically struggles when the threes don’t fall.

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But in the 62-57 win in Austin, the Red Raiders won despite shooting just 3-12 from long distance.  That was why many fans described the win as gritty and tough.

Tech had to battle for everything in that game, one that the Horns led by 16 points in the first half.  And when the outside shots refused to fall, Beard saw his team attack the paint.

That day, the Red Raiders were 17-22 at the free-throw line.   Thus, they held a huge edge over the Horns, who were just 7-8 at the line.

You can bet Beard and his coaching staff reminded their players of that fact this week, especially after what we saw in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.  In the 65-51 loss to the Sooners, Tech shot just five free throws (a season-low) making four.  Meanwhile, the notoriously jump-shooting-prone Sooners were just 6-10 at the line but still held an edge in an aspect of the game Tech should always dominate against a team that plays the style that Oklahoma plays.

Today, keep an eye on both lines, the free-throw line, and the 3-point line.  Let’s see if Tech can utilize both efficiently.

The last time the Red Raiders saw the Horns, they were able to do something that they haven’t done often this year, beat a good team without much success from deep because they attacked the rim.  Hopefully, the threes fall at a greater rate today but if they don’t, Tech knows what it will have to do in order to come away with another win.

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