Big 12 Basketball Takeaways: Kansas State, Texas Tech make statements

4 of 4

LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 28: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives to the basket against RJ Nembhard #22 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half of the game on January 28, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech makes a statement

The Texas Tech Red Raiders absolutely made a statement Saturday night against Kansas. Both teams had a week to prepare for this game and Chris Beard had his team ready to go while Bill Self did not. This keeps Texas Tech right there in the Big 12 race while also leapfrogging Beard to the top of the Coach of the Year race.

He came up with an absolute perfect gameplan. His players were sensational but he had his players in the right spot on seemingly every possession. They were getting open shots and making plays on both ends of the floor. If they hit shots like this, then they’re very much a Final Four contender.

Texas Tech got up double digits early on and they never looked back as they would head into halftime with a 25 point lead. They led by as much as 32 points in this game as they would go on to win 91-62. Kansas got punched in the mouth early and they wanted no part of this game as they played with very little effort. When you play like they did tonight you have no chance to win on the road in this league.

The Red Raiders had a really good offensive attack in this game. Everyone chipped in with a few baskets to compliment Jarrett Culver leading the way. He had 26 points and most certainly looked like a future NBA lottery pick. As a team, they shot 16-for-26 from three-point range which was by far their best mark of the season.

Dedric Lawson led the Jayhawks with 14 points but he only had eight shot attempts. There’s no excuse for your star player to not have at least twice the shot attempts in such a big game. Texas Tech deserves a lot of credit for that though. They were switching a lot on defense and they kept Kansas from taking advantage when Lawson had a mismatch inside.

Next. Bracketology Bubble Watch. dark

The way Texas Tech is playing, you have to like their chances in the Big 12 and beyond. They have two home games against Oklahoma State and Texas left with a trip to TCU sandwiched in between those. After that, they finish their season in Ames as they take on the Iowa State Cyclones. If they want to win the Big 12 they will need to win that game. That’s a couple of games out so we’ll have to wait and see but they will be Jayhawks fans on Monday night.

Home/Big 12