Texas Tech Basketball: 2019-20 keys for home win over Kentucky Wildcats

Texas Tech Basketball has a premier SEC/Big 12 Challenge matchup against Kentucky. What are the keys for the Red Raiders’ success?

Of all of the 10 games this Saturday featuring both the SEC and the Big 12, there are two that catch the eye. One of them is between current No. 1 ranked Baylor taking on preseason Final Four contender Florida. The other is the only game in this year’s SEC/Big 12 Challenge that is between ranked teams – No. 15 Kentucky (14-5, 5-1) and No. 18 Texas Tech Basketball (12-6, 3-3).

The Red Raiders may have looked ahead to this big contest, blowing a halftime lead on the road at TCU to lose the game, 65-54. Jahmi’us Ramsey led the team with 15 points but he and the rest of the Red Raiders allowed TCU’s Desmond Bane to go off for 27 points for the upset win. That leaves Texas Tech with a .500 record in the Big 12 with games against both Kansas and West Virginia coming up.

But they’ll have to get past a Kentucky squad that may be finding their rhythm. They found a way to get by Arkansas without head coach John Calipari after he got ejected, before beating Anthony Edwards and Georgia this week, 89-79. Ashton Hagans and Nick Richards combined to score 43 points in the win.

While the Wildcats certainly are good, they aren’t considered one of the favorites to win this year’s NCAA Tournament title right now. It’s an opportunity for Texas Tech to not only get another quality win from the Bluegrass state but also to get back some needed confidence before returning to Big 12 action. Here are my keys to the Red Raiders getting the victory.