Texas Tech Basketball has its season end on heartbreaking loss to Arkansas

As expected, Texas Tech Basketball versus Arkansas was a great game to watch and had riveting late-game drama. After falling behind by 13 points halfway through the second half, it appeared over for the Red Raiders.

But an 11-0 run in under two minutes of game time brought them within two with eight minutes left to play. Arkansas was able to maintain their composure and quell the Texas Tech momentum despite being held to 14 points below their season scoring average.

Texas Tech’s defense did not disappoint. Holding the 7th-highest scoring team in D-I basketball to just 68 points was an impressive feat. Unfortunately though, the success threshold for the Red Raiders this year was 60 points. When opposing teams surpassed 60 points, this Texas Tech team had a record of 6-10 on the year.

Early in the second half, this game turned into a shootout with short shot clocks and back and forth fast breaks and I believe that is when the game was sealed. Texas Tech starting playing Arkansas’ game and made a number of turnovers, including a series of multiple, inexcusable offensive fouls.

A major factor in this game, or better yet lack thereof, was Mac McClung. The Red Raiders leading scorer had no impact and was all but an afterthought for the Arkansas defense. McClung scored only nine points on 2-6 shooting from the field in 35 minutes of playing time.

There is no reason your top scorer is only taking six shots in a win or go home game in the NCAA Tournament, especially since the Arkansas defense on McClung was nothing special. The team was unable to rely on him down the stretch and his lackluster performance was most notable when his team needed him the most.

The good news for Texas Tech fans, of the five team starters, four will most likely be returning next season. With another year of building team chemistry and some Tournament experience playing together, the Red Raiders should be more competitive come next March.