Texas vs Texas Tech: 5 key storylines for Chris Beard’s return to Lubbock

When the Texas Longhorns travel to United Supermarkets Arena to take on in-state rival Texas Tech, it will not only be a match-up of Big 12 foes who both sit at 5-3 in the conference standings. The Tuesday night 9 pm tip will also feature two teams that are in the top 20 of the NET rankings.

Head Coach Chris Beard has one of the most balanced offenses in college basketball with a line-up that features five players who average between nine and twelve points per game and 10 players who average at least 11 minutes per game. Arguably the premier reason Texas does not have the most balanced offense is that Head Coach Mark Adams has five Red Raiders who average between 10 and 14 points while also having ten players who eclipse 11 minutes per game.

Despite being just eight games into the Big 12 schedule, Kansas, Baylor, Texas, and Texas Tech are poised to distance themselves from the likes of Texas Christian and Iowa State, making this matchup all the more important. If Baylor or Kansas were to suffer an unforeseen loss, Texas or Texas Tech would be in a position to pass them in the Big 12 standings.

The Longhorns’ biggest resume builders have been victories over Oklahoma. Oklahoma State and West Virginia, while their loss at home to Kansas State as hurt their NET. For their efforts, the Red Raiders have impressive victories over Baylor, Kansas, and Tennessee which have been more than enough to compensate for their loss to Kansas State.

With average point differential, effective field goal percentage, opposition field goal percentage, and blocks per game being even for all intents and purposes between these two teams, this Big 12 match-up projects to be a close one.