Texas Tech basketball: Red Raiders take down Islanders in final tuneup

Saturday in Frisco, the Texas Tech basketball team beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 77-57 in the final tuneup before the start of Big 12 play.

The Texas Tech basketball program had no problem in their final tune-up before Big 12 play. In the 77-57 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Red Raiders put forth a workmanlike effort and were never threatened, unlike they were in their previous game against Abilene Christian.

Making his return from a one-game absence due to a sprained ankle, sophomore forward Terrence Shannon had 15 points to lead the Red Raiders in scoring. Shooting 5-10 from the field and 5-6 of the line, he also had seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Meanwhile, senior forward Marcus Santos-Silva added 12 points and six rebounds. Also scoring 12 points while pulling in five rebounds was freshman Micah Peavy.

But as per usual, it was Texas Tech’s defense that was the dominant force on the day. Tech was able to force TAMCC into 20 turnovers while also holding a 43-33 rebounding edge.

The win was also a milestone for Chris Beard as it was his 100th as head coach of the Red Raiders. Reaching that mark in just 145 career games, he easily becomes the fastest head coach in program history to get to a hundred victories.

Beard now sits seventh in Tech history in wins. But what’s impressive is his .685 winning percentage, which is best in program history.

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Win no. 100 was never in doubt. Tech opened the game with a Kyler Edwards 3-pointer and proceeded to take a 14-3 advantage by the 10:47 mark of the first half.

But not all was perfect for the Red Raiders. Once again, the team’s leading scorer, Mac McClung, had a quiet day as the shots continue not to fall his way.

Making just 2 of 10 shots from the field, the Georgetown transfer had only five points on the day. It was the third-straight game in which he’s shot worse than 29% from the floor. During that time, he’s gone just 2 for 10 from 3-point range after opening the year 8-20 (40%) from deep.

Now, the Red Raiders turn their attention to Big 12 play which opens with a bang. Headed to Lubbock on Thursday night is no. 5 Kansas.

The Jayhawks currently sit at 6-1 on the year with their only loss to no. 1 Gonzaga 102-90 in the season opener. Since then, they’ve notched wins over the likes of no. 20 Kentucky and no. 8 Creighton.

The early start to league play is less than ideal for a team such as Tech, which is breaking in as many as seven players who didn’t play for the program last year. Prior to the start of league play in a normal year, the Red Raiders would have played 11 games giving Beard more time to work through some of the necessary adjustment period that comes with trying to piece together a revamped roster nearly every year.

Still, Kansas will have little pity on the Red Raiders when they come to the U.S.A. as both teams will be desperate to get off to a strong start to league play. Though it feels like the season is still in its infancy, the reality is that life is about to get far more serious for the Red Raiders.

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