Texas Tech Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Red Raiders
Nonconference Schedule
Nov. 5 (H) — Eastern Illinois
Nov. 9 (H) — Bethune-Cookman
Nov. 13 (N) — Houston Baptist
Nov. 21 (H) — Tennessee State
Nov. 24 (H) — LIU Brooklyn
Nov. 28-29 (N) — Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational (Iowa, San Diego State/Creighton)
Dec. 4 (A) — DePaul (Big 12-Big East Challenge)
Dec. 10 (N) — Louisville (Jimmy V Classic)
Dec. 16 (H) — Southern Mississippi
Dec. 21 (H) — UT Rio Grande Valley
Dec. 29 (H) — Cal State Bakersfield
Jan. 25 (H) — Kentucky (Big 12-SEC Challenge)
Texas Tech begins the season with a handful of non-Power 5 opponents, a perfect opportunity for a new lineup to get comfortable and adjust to Beard’s system at full speed. The team will open the season against Eastern Illinois, one of the many matchups that should be easy wins for the Red Raiders.
The nonconference slate takes a step up in late November when Texas Tech opens up the Las Vegas Invitational against Big-10 opponent Iowa. From there, Texas Tech will play San Diego State or Creighton, depending on how the previous matchup goes.
After an away game at DePaul, which should not be a problem, Texas Tech and Louisville meet at Madison Square Garden in the Jimmy V Classic. The Cardinals return its main core from a season ago and will be one of the two hardest nonconference games for the Red Raiders. Downing Louisville would provide a huge boost to Texas Tech’s NCAA Tournament resume.
Texas Tech returns home for three straight home games against lesser opponents before Big 12 play opens up. But in the middle of conference play is a Jan. 25 matchup with Kentucky as part of the Big 12-SEC Challenge. This is another opportunity for a statement win as the Wildcats rank among the top three to win the 2020 NCAA Tournament.
This nonconference slate has a lot of winnable games with a few opportunities for Texas Tech to prove their new roster can handle NCAA’s top-tier competition. Some of these matchups could prove the difference in the Red Raiders securing a low seed in the Tournament, rather than falling into a more difficult Round of 64 matchup.