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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 21, 2020; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talks with guard Isaiah Moss (4) during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2020; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talks with guard Isaiah Moss (4) during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

December 17 vs. Kansas in Lubbock

If the Red Raiders have hopes of winning the Big 12, they are at least going to have to split with conference contenders such as Baylor, West Virginia, Texas, and Kansas.  What’s more, somewhere along the way, they will probably have to sweep one of those four opponents.

That makes the Big 12 opener against Kansas in Lubbock a massive tilt.  Though the home crowd for that game will only be around 4,000 fans, it will be imperative that Tech takes advantage of what home-court advantage there may be and finds a way to get off to a solid start in league play.

Even though the Jayhawks are No. 6 to open the year, many wonder if this season will be a bit of a regression for Bill Self‘s team.  Gone are last year’s leading scorer, point guard Devon Dotson, and 7-foot big man Udoka Azubuike the two players through whom just about everything ran last year in Lawrence.

Thus, much will be placed on guard Marcus Garrett to become an all-around star and not be just a defensive ace who scores timely buckets.  Last year, he put up 9.4 points per game as a junior so there’s reason to wonder if he can become a go-to weapon on offense, especially with Dotson not around to draw the attention of opposing teams.

Keep an eye on freshman guard Bryce Thompson, a five-star signee in 2020 and the No. 21 player in the nation.  Whether or not he is able to be an instant impact player for the Jayhawks will be huge in determining if Self’s team can compete at the top of the league.

Still, on paper, this might be one year where Texas Tech has a talent edge over Kansas. Thus, the Red Raiders certainly need to put this contest in the win column.

Prior to this tilt, KU will have already played No. 1 Gozaga, No. 10 Kentucky, and No. 11 Creighton so we will have a nice understanding of what type of team the Jayhawks will have.  Meanwhile, this will be the first major test of the year for Chris Beard’s team and how they perform in the Big 12 opener will be fascinating given the caliber of opponent.

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