Texas Tech basketball: 5 potential trap games on the 2020-21 schedule

February 6 @ Kansas State

Speaking of arenas where Tech has normally struggled, Bramlage Coliseum certainly fits that bill.  So we should never overlook one of the Red Raiders’ trips to Manhattan, even in a year when Kansas State is expected to be the worst team in the Big 12.

This year, the Red Raiders will head to The Little Apple five days after hosting a tough OU team and three days before hosting No. 15 West Virginia.  Thus, Tech might be in for a fight, even against a team as poor as KSU.

Last year was a step back for the Wildcats after three-straight tournament trips.  In fact, they won just three conference games in 2019-20.  Now, they have to replace the top three scorers from that team.

It’s never good when your leading returning scorer is coming off a year when he averaged less than seven points per contest.  But that’s the case for KSU with Mike McGuirl who returns after putting up 6.9 p.p.g a season ago.  He’s also the team’s lone senior.

A key for the Wildcats will be the play of 6-foot-11 forward Carlton Linguard, one of the top JUCO players in the nation last year.  But will he be enough to make Bruce Weber’s team more than a walk-over in what is expected to be the nation’s best conference?  Likely not.

Still, playing in the “Octagon of Doom” can always be an adventure.  So don’t overlook Tech’s trip to Manhattan this year even though this could be a long and painful season for the Wildcats.