Texas Tech basketball: Keys for success in the Big 12 tournament

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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 27: Guard Chibuzo Agbo #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shoots a free throw during the second half of the college basketball game against the Texas Longhorns at United Supermarkets Arena on February 27, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech must spend a ton of time at the free-throw line

This week, Texas Tech must get back to getting to the free-throw line. That’s where this team has generated a substantial amount of its offense this year and for a deep run in Kansas City to be in the cards, the line has to be a weapon once again.

Chris Beard’s team was second in the Big 12 in the regular season in free-throw percentage (.735) and third in attempts (347). What’s more, Tech was 17th in the nation in free-throw makes per game (16.2).

But in Tech’s last six games, only twice have the Red Raiders hit that mark of 16 or more made free throws. What’s more, they’ve averaged just 18.1 attempts per game in that span (down from the season average of 22.6 per game).

The good news is that against Tech’s first opponent in Kansas City, Texas, free-throw attempts have been plentiful. In the season’s first meeting between the teams, a 79-77 Red Raider win, Tech was 22-28 from the line, and in the rematch in Lubbock, a 68-59 Tech victory, the Red Raiders were 20-26.

For the rest of this season, the free-throw line must be an integral component of the Red Raider’s offensive attack, especially being as the rest of the games will be played at a neutral site meaning that the edge home teams usually enjoy in free-throw shooting should be neutralized. Thus, this week, Tech has to get back to getting to the line.

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