Texas Tech must stop having first half lulls
Finally, this team has got to find a way to play better in the first half. That trend is continually putting the Red Raiders into second-half deficits and trying to mount massive comebacks on a regular basis is not wise in the Big 12.
This first became a problem against Kansas State in Lubbock. That day, the Wildcats ended the first half on a 20-0 run to take an 11-point halftime lead.
Then, against Houston, Tech had the game tied at 12 but then allowed the Cougars to go on a 10-2 run to get some separation. After that, Tech would not come within five points of drawing equal in the game.
In the BYU game, the entire first half was a disaster. Tech allowed the Cougars to hit 10 shots from beyond the arc on the way to a 48-32 halftime lead.
Against Oklahoma, Tech surrendered a 19-4 run after taking a 17-11 lead. The result was another halftime deficit, though it was only one point, fortunately.
Finally, against TCU, after going up 27-16, the wheels came off for the Red Raiders. Over the next five minutes, McCasland's team would allow the Frogs to rattle off a 20-3 run to take a lead that they would never relinquish.
It is great that this team has proven capable of fighting back from significant second-half deficits. However, the Red Raiders aren't going to be able to live that way long-term. That's why these first-half lulls must become a thing of the past if this team is going to stay in contention for a Big 12 championship.