TCU at Texas Tech: 2022-23 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
The TCU Horned Frogs have a big test when they travel to Lubbock to take on the pesky Texas Tech Red Raiders.
TV Schedule: Saturday, February 25, 12:00 PM ET, ESPN2
Location: United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, TX
The TCU Horned Frogs have a losing record in Big 12 play and are essentially a lock for the NCAA Tournament. That’s how stacked the conference is. But they face another stiff test on Saturday when they hit the road to play the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
TCU has struggled in the past few weeks, losing five of its last six games. The lone exception was the offensive explosion that led to a 100-75 win over Oklahoma State last weekend. Most of those losses came against ranked teams.
On the other hand, Texas Tech is riding a hot streak. The team has won four straight following Tuesday night’s contest at Oklahoma. Those wins all came by a couple of baskets and included victories over bonafide contenders in Kansas State and Texas.
These teams previously met on New Year’s Eve in Fort Worth. It was a typically close contest, which TCU won, 67-61. Mike Miles Jr. led the way with 23 points, though he also committed five turnovers.
TCU’s recent struggles have been because of Miles’ absence, due to injury. But he’s back in the fold and getting up to speed, which makes the Horned Frogs dangerous once again. He’s averaged 14 points per games in his two games since returning.
Texas Tech’s surge has been fueled by several players. This week, De’Vion Harmon was named Big 12 Player of the Week after he dropped a career-high 25 points against Texas, including 21 in the first half alone. He’s averaging 17 points in the past five games.
Big man Fardaws Aimaq is also rounding into shape after making his Texas Tech debut a month ago. The transfer is averaging 11 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this season. Aimaq is coming off consecutive double-doubles, shaking off the rust of his preseason foot injury.
Neither team has to leave the state of Texas to play this game, but the home/road split is damming for the Horned Frogs, who are just 2-6 in true road games. United Supermarkets Arena has been a safe haven for the Red Raiders, who sport an 11-4 record on their home floor.
This game promises to be a tight affair. Both teams are similar in the metrics, though a big difference is that the Red Raiders are mediocre at best from behind the three-point line, while the Horned Frogs are one of the country’s worst three-point shooting teams, making less than 30 percent of their attempts.
It’s weird to say this about a bubble team against a team that appears probable for the Big Dance, but Texas Tech also may have more elite players. Aimaq and Harmon are playing great, but Kevin Obanor and Jaylon Tyson are regularly showing out, too. TCU’s’ edge is in coaching, thanks to Jamie Dixon.
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Texas Tech is still fighting for its NCAA Tournament life, a possibility that seemed unfathomable a few weeks ago. That motivation should be all the Red Raiders need to secure the win.
Prediction: Texas Tech 70, TCU 68