Texas Tech basketball: What has to happen for the Red Raiders to win in Austin

Darrion Williams must be the Texas Tech Swiss Army knife

The Red Raiders also need small forward Darrion Williams to be a huge factor tonight. That's because he's the type of player who can impact the game in a number of ways.

The Nevada transfer is fourth on the team in scoring (9.5 points per game), second in rebounds (7 per game), third in assists (3.4 per game), and tops in steals (1.2 per game). Tonight, in his first Big 12 test, he is going to have to play a strong all-around game.

Williams is Tech's most versatile wing. So he will have a chance to make things happen in a number of ways.

Scoring will be important. He already has six games of 10 or more points and Tech could use a seventh tonight. However, only one of those double-digit scoring games came against a major conference team (Michigan).

On the glass, he's had three games of 10 of more rebounds. Tonight against a bigger Texas team, he's going to need to be that effective again given the assumed advantage the Horns will have in that area.

On defense, he may also be called upon to play a key role. Out of Tech's top six rotational players, he is second in defensive rating by allowing an estimated 94 points per 100 possessions. In this game, he might be asked to check one of Texas' dangerous guards, Max Abmas or Tyrese Hunter. Will he be up to the task if so?

Williams is a glue guy for the Red Raiders. He doesn't often garner the headlines because he isn't likely to lead the team in scoring. However, he impacts the game in many ways and tonight, he needs to be at his best against a Texas team that presents a number of challenges for the Red Raiders.