Texas Tech Basketball: 5 takeaways from 0-6 start to Big 12 play

AMES, IA - JANUARY 10: Head coach Mark Adams of the Texas Tech Red Raiders coaches from the bench in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 10, 2023 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 84-50 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /

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Texas Tech Red Raiders forward KJ Allen (5) dribbles the ball against Baylor Bears guard Keyonte George Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Entering the 2022-23 season, there is no conference better from top to bottom than the Big 12. There are several teams with Final Four and even national title aspirations and all of the analytics and computer metrics have all 10 programs in the top 60 overall.

However, someone has to finish at the bottom of the conference. And based on the first few weeks, it very well could end up being Texas Tech. In the first three games in league play, the team lost by a combined 14 points, including an overtime defeat to Oklahoma at home.

Unfortunately, the Red Raiders have continued to lose, going 0-5 in Big 12 play heading into a home matchup with Baylor. Once again, Texas Tech was trailing, down by eight points at halftime. The lead grew larger in the second half, down by double-digits. A small comeback was made in the final minutes to keep it respectable but in the end, the Bears won the game, 81-74.

Freshman guard Keyonte George led all scorers with 27 points to lead the way, outpacing Jaylon Tyson, who had 19 for Texas Tech. The loss drops them to 10-8 overall and 0-6 in Big 12 play, making them dead last in the standings, half a game behind fellow winless Big 12 team, West Virginia.

A lot has gone wrong for the preseason top-25 team, now starring at the difficult challenge of reviving its NCAA Tournament aspirations. Using both this game and all six Big 12 contests, here are the main takeaways I have for the Red Raiders.

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