Texas Tech basketball: What the Red Raiders must do to beat Utah State

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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 27: Guard Mac McClung #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders sticks his tongue out after making a three-pointer during the first 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) /

Get Mac McClung out of his slump

Texas Tech brought Mac McClung to Lubbock for today and the rest of March. It’s his time to shine. And prolific-scoring guards have a history of carrying their teams deep into the NCAA Tournament.

But in each of Tech’s last two games, McClung has scored only seven points. That’s concerning given that Utah State is such a tough defensive team.

On the other hand, this is a Utah State team that has given up big games to other guards this year. BYU’s Alex Barcello hung 23 on them, and at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, he’s a similar type of guard to McClung.

Similarly, VCU’s Nah-Shon Hyland, a 6-foot-3 guard, also scored 23 against the Aggies. That game, USU’s first of the season, saw Hyland drain five of ten shots from 3-point range.

Meanwhile, Colorado State guard Isaiah Stevens scored 18 big points against USU in a win. That day, the 6-foot native of Allen, Texas was 11-13 from the free-throw line.

McClung likely needs to have a similar game today for Tech to advance. It will be imperative that he breaks out of the recent slump that’s seen him score seven points or fewer in three of his last four games. If he does, Tech will be able to score enough points to move on.

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