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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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Mar 7, 2020; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns Shaka Smart argues a call in the second half of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2020; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns Shaka Smart argues a call in the second half of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

February 27th vs. Texas in Lubbock

To close out the regular season, Tech will welcome rival Texas to Lubbock.  And this game could provide Tech with an opportunity to clinch the Big 12.

However, don’t sleep on the Longhorns this year.  In fact, many around the nation believe that this could be the year that Shaka Smart finally has a breakout in Austin.

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They will welcome 5-star true freshman Greg Brown to a roster that returns almost all of last year’s productivity.  Guard Matt Coleman and Andrew Jones have both had big days against the Red Raiders in their careers and each are back to give UT one of the most experienced and dangerous backcourts in the conference.  That duo combined to average over 24 points per game a season ago.

The Horns, and specifically Smart, are desperate for a big year.  It’s been five years under the current coaching regime and there’s been no NCAA Tournament wins to show.  What’s more, UT has fallen into the jumbled middle of the Big 12 hierarchy which is not what the people in Austin envisioned when they fired Rick Barnes and brought Smart to the 40 Acres.

Prior to this contest, Tech will have road games at Kansas and Oklahoma State, two venues that have been tough on Beard’s program over the years.  But returning home for the regular-season finale is a boost, especially if this game carries significant Big 12 title implications.

Remember, this won’t be the classic senior day given that players will not lose a year of eligibility this season.  What’s more, the arena isn’t going to be rocking the way it normally is when the Horns come calling.

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Still, Tech needs to put this game on the victorious side of the ledger.  Not only would that send Beard’s team into the postseason on the right foot but it could also give Tech an opportunity to celebrate a league title on their own court.

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