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

By Matthew Conner

Feb 16, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Mark Adams celebrates with members of the student body on the court after the game against the Baylor Bears at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Mark Adams celebrates with members of the student body on the court after the game against the Baylor Bears at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 22: Forward Marcus Santos-Silva #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after dunking the ball during the second half of the college basketball game against the Oklahoma Sooners at United Supermarkets Arena on February 22, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 22: Forward Marcus Santos-Silva #14 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after dunking the ball during the second half of the college basketball game against the Oklahoma Sooners at United Supermarkets Arena on February 22, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Bring the early energy

The key to this game could be the amount of energy each team brings to the table.  After all, we know that Texas Tech’s game is predicated on effort and intensity, especially on defense.  But while we can be reasonably sure that the Red Raiders will bring their trademark style to Fort Worth, it is reasonable to question whether TCU will be able to match it.

That’s because the Frogs will be playing their third game this week.  That’s always a tough task for any team.

We saw what happened earlier this season when the Red Raiders had to play three games in the span of a week.  After beating Baylor in Waco on a Monday and Oklahoma State in Lubbock on a Thursday, Tech had to travel to Kansas State on a Saturday and the result was a lethargic 62-51 loss.

That day, the Red Raiders simply could not match the intensity of the Wildcats, who were desperate to earn their first Big 12 win of the season.  So if a team as mature and talented as Tech Tech struggled when playing game No. 3 of the week, it is fair to wonder if TCU will face a similar challenge today.

This past Monday, the Frogs secured a 77-67 home win over West Virginia.  Then, on Wednesday, they lost 75-66 to Texas in Austin.  Now, they face a red-hot Red Raider squad in their third game of the week.

The main difference between the Frogs’ week this week and Tech’s three-game week in January is that TCU played game No. 2 this week on Wednesday where as Tech played game No. 2 of their week on a Thursday.   That will give TCU an extra day to rest and prepare for this week’s finale.

Still, Tech should be expected to bring more energy and fight to this game than TCU.  That’s going to be especially important in the first ten minutes of the game where the Red Raiders can set the tone.  But remember, the last time these teams met, it was TCU that was the better and more aggressive team in the first half as they led 35-22 late in the first half before crumbling in the second.

Today, if Tech can jump out to a similar lead in the first half, TCU may not have the energy or the will to try to mount a comeback.  That’s why the first ten minutes of this contest could be of critical importance.

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