5. Texas Tech (21-6)
Dealing with the rigorous slaughter of Big 12 play is a challenge for each of the ten teams in the conference, but some teams take on that challenge better than others. It’s virtually impossible to avoid a slip-up at some point; Texas Tech has certainly had a few of those, but it’s hard to have a better week than what the Red Raiders just turned in these last few days.
Back on Wednesday, Texas Tech welcomed Baylor and finished the season sweep of the defending champions, handling the Bears in an 83-73 victory. The Red Raiders clawed back from a halftime deficit with great offensive play, including 23 points and 13 rebounds from Kevin Obanor. Three days later the Red Raiders were back in action on the road, getting a sweet 61-55 win at Texas over former coach Chris Beard, with Bryson Williams’ 17 points spearheading that effort on the offensive side.
The Red Raiders are now 10-4 in the Big 12, including sweeps of Baylor and Texas, with wins over Kansas and Tennessee also on that resume. Things are looking fantastic for this program and this looks like a dangerous team that will be a tough out in the coming weeks. Next week the schedule loosens a bit, with a home date with Oklahoma and a road trip to TCU, presenting two chances to improve that impressive conference mark.