Texas Tech Basketball: Why Red Raiders can win the Big 12 in closing stretch

Texas Tech has arguably the best defense in basketball

The Red Raiders have what could be considered the most dominant defense in the country, not only do they give up just 58.1 points per game which is the second-best number in the country but their defensive percentages are also off the charts. Nationally, they are a top-9 team in field goal percentage defense at 36.7% and three-point percentage defense and defend two-point shots at a 41.5% clip which is the 4th best in the sport.

In Big 12 play you will find the Red Raiders at or near the top of most defensive statistical categories as well, including scoring defense where they have given up 62.5 points per game in their 15 league contests. Only three times have they given up over 70 in a Big 12 game this season, both coming on the road in losses to Baylor and Kansas. When they play in the friendly confines of United Supermarkets Arena they have surrendered a robust 62 points per game.

But that isn’t all, not only does Texas Tech excel in all these categories, both in conference and nationally, they also defend the paint with 4.8 blocks per game and force 16 turnovers thanks to their 7.3 steals per game.