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

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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – MARCH 02: Guard Kyler Edwards #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders handles the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the TCU Horned Frogs at United Supermarkets Arena on March 02, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Tech has to take better care of the ball

When trying to beat one of the nation’s elite teams, turning the ball over 20 times as Tech did against Baylor two months ago is ever a great idea. That day, BU had 22 points off of turnovers while Tech had just 12.

Of course, when Tech plays a clean turnover game, it can be one of the best teams in the nation. But by having 20 possessions end without a shot in round one, Tech gave the Bears a huge boost.

Turnovers are an area of the game in which Baylor excels. They lead the conference in steals (9.4 per game), assist to turnover ratio (+1.44 assists per game), and turnover margins (+6 per game).

But Tech is also strong in those areas. Beard’s team is third in assist to turnover ratio (+1.18 assists per game), and second in turnover margin (+5.0 per game).

Baylor is going to try to apply intense on-ball pressure on Tech today. That would in theory prevent the Red Raiders from getting comfortable in the half-court offense and it would burn some extra time off of the shot clock before the Red Raiders are able to get into their offensive sets.

Tech can’t afford to allow that tactic to be successful the way it was in the season’s first meeting. If this proves to be a low-turnover game, it will bode well for the Red Raiders and their chances of pulling the upset.

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