Big 12 Basketball: Baylor’s shocking rise, Texas Tech’s missed opportunity
3. Texas Tech at a crossroads
The minute Kansas started to look vulnerable, Texas Tech was viewed as the most likely team to overthrow them, led by a top-5 national defense. The Red Raiders checked most boxes, including a Big 12 Player of the Year candidate Jarrett Culver.
But as soon as Tech was dubbed the No. 1 contender, they fell apart, losing three in a row and four of their last six, including a pair of road beatdowns.
Still, the Red Raiders had a huge opportunity to make a big statement this past weekend in Allen Fieldhouse, a place they won at a year ago. But the Jayhawks dominated for 40 minutes, winning by 16 points. The 79 points allowed was a season-high for Coach Chris Beard’s defense.
Culver’s play as of late has been concerning as well, making just three out of 30 three-pointers in conference play. He’s been scoring but not as efficiently as the Red Raiders would’ve liked.
Texas Tech is built very similarly and plays the same as last year’s Elite Eight team, which is a welcoming sign. The slate gets easier for the time being with games against the worst teams in the Big 12. At 5-4 in league play and two games behind in the standings, the Red Raiders will need to go on a run to remain in contention. And they will get another crack at Kansas, this time at home.
Next. Big 12 Power Rankings. dark
They’ve been a little disappointing as of late, so how they respond this week will determine whether they’re contenders heading into March, or a Big 12 team destined for the middle-tier the rest of the way.