How to watch as Texas Tech basketball hosts TCU plus game notes and prediction

Tonight, the Texas Tech basketball team hosts TCU in the first game this year in which the Red Raiders have played an opponent for the second time. It is also an opportunity for Grant McCasland's team to avenge last month's 85-78 loss to the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth.

That defeat began a streak of three straight losses for the Red Raiders. Now, Tech enters this contest having dropped four of its last six as the team has dealt with a flu outbreak and an injury to big man Warren Washington.

The good news is that Washington is working his way back from a foot injury sustained against Kansas last week. His status for tonight has not been disclosed by the program but there is a chance he could return to the floor, which would be a huge boost given TCU's size and ability to rebound the basketball.

Also, should Tech find a way to pull this game out, it could be the beginning of a nice run to close out the regular season. Of the remaining six opponents on the schedule, only No. 18 Baylor is ranked.

What's more, Tech will have three winnable road games to close out the year. Trips to Central Florida, West Virginia, and Oklahoma State are all games that Tech should expect to win. Of course, road upsets happen all the time in the Big 12 but it is safe to say that the schedule from here on out isn't as daunting as it has been in recent weeks with Tech playing four ranked teams in the past six games.

Texas Tech vs. TCU broadcast info

Matchup: TCU (18-7, 7-5) at Texas Tech (18-7, 7-5)
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Venue: United Supermarkets Arena
Tip: 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 20, 2024
TV: ESPN2
TV CALL: Rich Hollenberg (play-by-play), Fran Fraschilla (analyst)
RADIO (Texas Tech Sports Network): 97.3 Double T FM
RADIO CALL: Geoff Haxton (play-by-play), Chris Level (analyst)

Texas Tech vs. TCU game notes

(Game notes courtesy of TexasTech.com)

SERIES HISTORY: Tech leads 86-56
IN LUBBOCK: Tech leads 49-16
LAST MATCHUP: TCU won 85-78 (1/30/2024)

The Horned Frogs have won four straight in the series after sweeping last season... Over the last 10, the series is tied 5-5... The programs played each other on New Year's Eve last season in Fort Worth with TCU taking a 67-61 win to open Big 12 play... Isaacs led Tech in that game with 17 points after going 5-for-11 on 3-pointers... TCU won 83-82 on Feb. 25, 2023 in Lubbock.

Texas Tech leads the Big 12 and is 16th nationally with a 77.6 percentage at the free-throw line after going 18-for-22 (81.8%) at Iowa State, 15-for-22 against Kansas, and 13-for-15 in the win over UCF… Tech has shot over 80 percent at the line in 12-of-25 games this season. Tech has made 10 or more free throws in 23 of 25 games.

Tech has made 9 or more 3-pointers in 13 of 25 games this season after going 10-for-26 against Kansas before finishing 8-for-28 (28.6%) in the loss at Iowa State. The Red Raiders were 14-for-28 at TCU for their best 3-point shooting in Big 12 play so far.

Tech is third in the Big 12 with only 10.8 turnovers per game after having only eight against Kansas but then having a conference-high 16 in the loss at Iowa State. The fewest turnovers this season was only four in the win over Oklahoma State. Tech has had less than 10 turnovers in 11 games this season, including only six in the win over BYU and then eight against KU.

Kerwin Walton made three 3-pointers and finished with nine points at Iowa State and is
now averaging 2.2 3-pointers per Big 12 game which ranks 10th best in the conference…
He had 12 points against UCF after going 4-for-5 on 3-pointers before making two 3s against
Kansas and finishing with eight points in the win. He is now 46-for-90 (51.1%) on 3-pointers
for the season and 150-for-349 (43.0%) for his career.

Texas Tech vs. TCU prediction

The last time these teams met, TCU played one of its best games of the season. Not a team that is exceptional from 3-point range, the Frogs shot 55% (11-20) from beyond the arc. That included a 4-4 night from deep by Micah Peavy, a player who is known as an awful outside shooter.

It is hard to imagine that TCU will be that hot on the road tonight (especially Peavy) Teams typically regress when they play away from their home arena and if that holds true for tonight's visiting team, Tech should be able to capitalize.

Of course, the status of Warren Washington could be the deciding factor. In the last game, TCU owned the glass by a count of 34-27. What's more, the Frogs pulled down 12 offensive rebounds to just four by the Red Raiders. If Washington can't play, then the battle on the boards will be one Tech will struggle to win given TCU's overall size and athleticism and Tech's lack of size without Washington.

This won't be an easy task for Tech, even if McCasland's team is at full strength. TCU has already won three Big 12 road games and having won two in a row overall, the Frogs likely feel rather comfortable and confident as they come into this contest.

Were I certain that Washington was going to play and be close to full health, I would pick Tech. However, Washington was unable to play on Saturday and I don't know how much better he could get in just three days. Thus, I'm not expecting him to play. If he does, he'll likely be limited significantly.

That's why I'm picking TCU. The Frogs are not a great matchup for Tech given their depth, size, and overall athleticism, and tonight, the Red Raiders could be fighting an uphill battle given Washington's status.

Final score: TCU 79 - Texas Tech 73