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Texas Tech Basketball: Red Raiders heating up at the right time

By Maitland Rutledge

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Mark Adams of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is mobbed by students who rushed the court during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at United Supermarkets Arena on February 13, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Mark Adams of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is mobbed by students who rushed the court during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at United Supermarkets Arena on February 13, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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This season for Texas Tech basketball has not gone according to plan for the most part. Despite starters returning from the previous season and a solid group of newcomers, the team has looked far from being a conference contender and tournament team. However, things are returning to normal in Lubbock for Mark Adams and company. Monday night’s upset win over No. 6 Texas shows good signs the team is heating up when it counts toward the end of the year.

Tech’s upset over the Longhorns gave them their third Big 12 win but, more impressively, their third straight home win over a ranked opponent. After a dismal start in conference play at 0-8, the Red Raiders finally stating gaining some momentum in late January with a win over LSU and an overtime upset of Iowa State. After getting blown out against Baylor and losing to Oklahoma State on a last-second putback, Tech regrouped in a major way back at home.

Against Kansas State last Saturday, the Red Raiders put together a complete game. Harmon once again led the charge and the Red Raiders controlled the game from start to finish. The momentum carried into the Texas win on Monday. Including the past two victories, Tech has now won four of their last six games. They have the look of a team that is finally putting it all together.

Kevin Obanor and De’Vion Harmon have lead the Red Raiders all year statistically, but the team has dealt with injuries for most of the season. Pop Isaacs has missed six games due to an ankle injury and Daniel Batcho showed up in a walking boot on Monday night. Meanwhile, the biggest loss to the team’s starting five has arguably been Fardaws Aimaq. He has been limited to five games so far, but has played in the last two and finally looks healthy.

When Aimaq and Batcho are healthy, the Red Raiders can hang with any team in the conference. If they can finally squash the injury bug that has plagued them all season, Tech will be able to show what they are capable of when healthy.

An NCAA Tournament appearance may be out of the question, though. Currently, according to the NCAA Men’s Basketball NET rankings, Texas Tech is 60th overall in the country. The N.I.T. Tournament may be a more realistic expectation based on how this season has gone.

The road the rest of this season to a possible tournament appearance will be tough. Three of the last five games are on the road, one against No. 5 Kansas. The next two are at West Virginia and Oklahoma.

The first time around against both of those teams, Tech had a chance to win but could not finish at the end. Now with their tournament hopes on the line, the next few games will determine if the season continues well into March.

The main objective for Mark Adams should be continuing to build the program. Since Chris Beard’s departure, Tech has lost several key players from past tournament teams. To sell young recruits on the future of this program, a strong finish to the season even if no tournament appearance comes from it could go a long way.

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