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

3 of 6

LUBBOCK, TEXAS – MARCH 04: Guard Mac McClung #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shoots a free throw during the first half of the college basketball game against the Iowa State Cyclones at United Supermarkets Arena on March 04, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Tech needs to get to the line more

In round one against Baylor, Tech actually shot well (71.4%) at the line. But the problem was that the Red Raiders earned only 14 attempts. That number has to be higher today.

Baylor is a physical team. Thus, Tech has to counter that by being strong with the ball and drawing fouls. Though every call isn’t going to be made, the onus has to be put on the officials to blow the whistle.

Texas Tech averages 16.4 made free throws per game. That means that 22.3% of the Red Raiders’ offense is earned one point at a time.

But to beat the Bears, Tech will likely have to get around 27-30% of its points via free throws. That’s because scoring can be more than difficult against Baylor.

Unfortunately, in this year’s first meeting of these rivals, no Red Raider got to the line more than four times. What’s more, Edwards and Shannon each had just one attempt, 4.9 fewer than their combined game-by-game average.

In Baylor’s only loss of the year, Kansas was 18-26 at the line and the Jayhawks had a 12-point advantage in free throw scoring. That’s a formula Tech needs to try to replicate today.

Home/Texas Tech Basketball