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Texas Tech basketball: Five swing games on the 2020-21 schedule

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 25: Guard Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is introduced and chest bumps with guard Chris Clarke #44 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 Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is introduced and chest bumps with guard Chris Clarke #44 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) /
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Jan 29, 2020; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson talks to guard Caleb Mills (2) during he first half against the East Carolina Pirates at Minges Coliseum. The Houston Cougars defeated the East Carolina Pirates 69-59. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2020; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson talks to guard Caleb Mills (2) during he first half against the East Carolina Pirates at Minges Coliseum. The Houston Cougars defeated the East Carolina Pirates 69-59. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

November 29 vs. Houston in Fort Worth

Usually, Chris Beard likes to have several games under his belt before putting his team through the season’s first true test.  But this year’s condensed schedule does not afford such a luxury because, in the third game of the season, the Red Raiders will face a Houston team that sits at No. 17 in the A.P. preseason poll.

Thus, this roster, which is comprised of 50% newcomers, had better gel quickly.  What’s more, this game will be the third in the span of five days for Beard’s team.

Under former OU head coach Kelvin Sampson, Houston is the two-time defending AAC champion and they return plenty of firepower.  Leading scorer Caleb Mills (13.2 p.p.g. last season) is back for his sophomore campaign and he could be one of the breakout stars in the NCAA if he makes the second-season jump that so many players seem to.

The Cougars have also added Idaho transfer Cameron Tyson, who put up over 13 points per game himself last year.   Adding that type of scoring punch to the roster will make Houston one of the best perimeter teams in the nation.

However, the post play is now a major concern in Houston being as starting forward Fabian White Jr. has suffered a torn ACL and will miss the year.  Last year, the 6-foot-8, 225-pounder averaged 9.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

What’s interesting though, is that this will only be the second game of the year for the Cougars after they open up against Lamar on November 25.  That’s what makes this a true swing game.

It will be telling to see which team has worked out more of its early-season kinks by the time this contest arrives and the fact that Tech has an extra game ahead of facing the Cougars could be a huge benefit.  There aren’t a ton of quality win opportunities on the schedule prior to the start of Big 12 play for Tech but this is one and it would be fantastic for Beard and his team to put this win on the tournament resume.  But to do so will mean that Tech will have to come together as a team rather quickly.

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