Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

Texas Tech is tied in the loss column with Kansas at the top of the Big 12 standings. But with a hobbled star, can they beat Oklahoma State?

TV schedule: Wednesday, February 21, 7:00 p.m. ET. ESPNU

Arena: Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma

Texas Tech 22-5 (10-4) suffered a setback loss to Baylor on Saturday, 59-57. The defeat itself wasn’t that bad, as they were a game up on Kansas for first place in the Big 12 standings.

The issue was the toe injury suffered to star point guard Keenan Evans, who had to leave in the first half of the game. When he didn’t return, panic started to happen for the Red Raider fans. The senior point guard is responsible for a huge portion of their offense, and without him the team’s chances of advancing in March decrease dramatically.

Good news is that the injury isn’t considered too serious, with Evans likely to play in Saturday’s huge game versus the Jayhawks. When it comes to Wednesday’s game, he’s considered to be a game-time decision.

Their opponents are Oklahoma State 15-12 (5-9), whose at-large chances have all but died after losing back-to-back games to TCU and Kansas State, guaranteeing them an under .500 record in the conference. In the 90-70 loss to TCU, the Cowboys allowed 51 second half points, as well as over 54% shooting from the field.

The last time these teams played, Oklahoma State was on their way to a win, grabbing a double-digit lead at the half. But a 50 point second half for Texas Tech allowed them to get the comeback win at home. Evans had 26 points, while freshman Jarrett Culver had a career-high 25 points in the win.

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This game is the ultimate “trap” for the Red Raiders, as everyone’s eyes are glued to the Saturday showdown in Lubbock. With Texas Tech getting the earlier win against Kansas, they could technically afford to lose this game, and still be in first place after the weekend. But it’s hard to envision this team winning a road game with a hobbled Evans, let alone without him at all.

Prediction: Texas Tech 64 – Oklahoma State 72