Texas Tech basketball: What has to change in rematch with Longhorns

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Jan 13, 2021, Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Courtney Ramey (3) drives and shoots over Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kyler Edwards (11) and Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Micah Peavy (5) but misses during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Mandatory credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell /American-Statesman via USA TODAY Network /

Tech has to play a better first half

What made the win in Austin earlier this year so improbable was the hole that the Red Raiders had to climb out of. Down 48-38 at the intermission, the Red Raiders looked to be in deep trouble after playing one of their worst halves of the season.

That afternoon, Texas shot 50% from the floor in the first 20 minutes while making eight 3-pointers. The Horns also got to the line 17 times in that half.

Every Texas starter but freshman forward Greg Brown scored at least seven points in that stanza and two of them, Jones and Matt Coleman III, combined for 28 between them as both were in double digits. Also in that half, Tech was out-rebounded 22-14 overall and 9-4 on the offensive glass.

Meanwhile, the Red Raiders were not nearly as efficient on offense. They shot just 37% overall and 2-8 from beyond the arc. But what kept them in the game was that they were 16-19 at the line and they turned the ball over just three times to prevent Texas from getting even further ahead.

As we all know, the second half was a different story and Tech would claw its way back for the win. But starting slow is now how to beat the Longhorns (or any other quality team for that matter).

This year, UT has lost only twice when leading at the break (against Tech and WVU). Thus, playing form behind is not a wise strategy for the Red Raiders today. So look to see if Beard’s team can get off to a better start than it did in Austin last month.

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