Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Texas Tech climbs into top 3 after big week
By Andrew Tineo
11-4 (4-3). Previous: 4th. Red Raiders . 2. team. 468.
Previous Games: 79-77 win over Texas, 68-60 loss to Baylor.
Next Games: Wednesday at TCU, Saturday vs. Iowa State.
It was a rollercoaster of a week for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech had the tall task of facing Texas in Austin and had some heroics on their side. Texas Tech had four players in double figures, led by 22 points and five rebounds for Mac McClung. However, it was his final three that were the most important.
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Texas Tech’s defense was not up to their standard but forced a lot of turnovers. Texas made 13 three-pointers but also turned the ball over 15 times to just nine assists. Texas had just four bench points and was 58 percent from the free throw line.
After the colossal upset, Texas Tech was looking to make it two in a row. The offense did not make the trip to Austin as Texas Tech was struggling to muster much to pull away from Baylor. Texas Tech shot 25 percent from beyond the arc and had 20 turnovers to just five assists.
Even with a 24-point effort from McClung, the rest of the offense could not carry the load. The Red Raiders had just five bench points and no player had more than three field goals, apart from McClung. The win over Texas jumps them, but another loss could easily have the Red Raiders slipping behind the Longhorns.
The impressive close performance keeps them as one of the most dangerous teams in the conference and momentum is still in Lubbock.