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

By Matthew Conner

Jan 13, 2021, Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Andrew Jones (1) and Texas Longhorns guard Matt Coleman III (2) double team Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kevin McCullar (15) in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Mandatory credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell /American-Statesman via USA TODAY Network
Jan 13, 2021, Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Andrew Jones (1) and Texas Longhorns guard Matt Coleman III (2) double team Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kevin McCullar (15) in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Mandatory credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell /American-Statesman via USA TODAY Network /
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Dec 9, 2018; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Courtney Ramey (3) shoots a three-pointer against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Frank Erwin Center. Mandatory Credit: John Gutierrez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2018; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Courtney Ramey (3) shoots a three-pointer against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Frank Erwin Center. Mandatory Credit: John Gutierrez-USA TODAY Sports /

Defend the 3-point shot

It feels a bit redundant to suggest that the Texas Tech basketball team needs to do a better job of defending the 3-point shot this year.  After all, no team in the Big 12 is allowing opponents to shoot better from beyond the arc during Big 12 play than Tech.

But for Tech to beat UT today, the 3-point line almost certainly can’t be as kind to the Longhorns as it was in the first meeting between these teams.

In that matchup, the Horns shot 13-25 (52%) from 3-point range accounting for 50.6% of their offense.  That gave them a 15-point edge over Tech in that aspect of the game.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only time this year that Tech has struggled with its 3-point defense.  In league games, teams are shooting 38.8% from distance against the Red Raiders.  That’s worst in the Big 12 by 1.5%.

Today, Tech’s ability to guard the 3-ball will be tested.  Shooting 34.9% from deep in conference action, UT is third out of ten teams.  What’s more, they’ve made 117 3s in conference games, second only to Kansas.

It feels like since the NCAA moved the 3-point line back prior to last season, it’s been more difficult for the Red Raiders to defend the arc as it makes it harder to close out on shooters being as defenders have to travel further to get a hand in their face.  But that’s what Tech has to do today if the Longhorns are going to be stopped from taking their second-straight game in Lubbock after stunning Tech at the U.S.A a season ago.

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