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Texas Tech basketball: Analyzing the Red Raiders 2023-24 non-conference schedule

By Matthew Conner

Feb 25, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; A general view of the Texas Tech Double T on the court before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; A general view of the Texas Tech Double T on the court before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Thad Matta coaches against the St. John’s Red Storm during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Thad Matta coaches against the St. John’s Red Storm during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Tech will face Butler right after combing back from Atlantis

Immediately after the Battle 4 Atlantis, the Red Raiders have another tough task as they face Butler on November 30.  That’s less than a week after the final game in the Bahamas making this four-game stretch one of the most difficult of the season.

What’s more, the Red Raiders don’t play again until December 6th against Omaha in Lubbock.  So between the November 16th home game with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, there will be three weeks between home games for the Red Raiders.

Last season, Butler did not have the type of success they have become accustomed to. Going just 14-18 overall and just 6-14 in Big East play, they missed out on the NCAA Tournament in the first year of Thad Matta’s tenure.

Butler and Tech could play one of those ugly rock fight games that often arise in college basketball.  With both head coaches emphasizing defense over everything else and having a reputation for playing at a snail’s pace, this game might struggle to get out of the 60s.

Like the Red Raiders, Butler will have a ton of newcomers this year.  In fact, they have only one regular rotation piece from last season set to return in 2023-24; big man Jalen Thomas who averaged 7.1 points per game.

One name that some Texas Tech fans may know on the Butler roster, is true freshman Finley Bizjack.  Not only is he notable because of his unusual name, but he is also a Dallas area product who was a 4-star signee and the No. 106 player in the nation.  Though he didn’t hold an offer from Tech, he may be a player that some DFW Red Raiders are familiar with.

It will be a tough ask of McCasland’s team to march into historic Hinkle Fieldhouse and come away with a win, even if the Bulldogs won’t be as good this year as we’ve come to think they will be.  What’s more, this game’s placement on the schedule as the first game after the trip to Atlantis makes it even more difficult.

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