Texas Tech Ready to Go
The Texas Tech Red Raiders Men’s Basketball team is geared up for a traveling week with a BIG 12 Conference Game and SEC matchup game this week. The first matchup against West Virginia Mountaineers is Monday, January 25th at 8 p.m. at WVU Coliseum in West Virginia. The second game is scheduled for Saturday, January 30th, at 1 p.m. against LSU at Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
West Virginia vs. TTU
In a ranked matchup, the No. 10 and 11-4 Texas Tech Red Raiders are traveling to Morgantown to take on No. 11 and 10-4 West Virginia Mountaineers, who are coming off of a convincing win against Kansas State. The Red Raiders are looking to bounce back after a rare home loss against No. 2 ranked Baylor. Texas Tech has had their last two games canceled. The first against TCU and the other against Iowa State because of COVID-19 protocols. After a week off, the team looks to add another win against a very competitive West Virginia team.
The mountaineers have many weapons at their disposal this season. Their stand out player to many is Derek Culver. The 6’10” forward is currently averaging a double-double with 13.4 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game; Which could arise problems for the undersized Red Raiders team. The answer to this? Marcus Santos-Silva, who is a 6’7″ forward for Tech, and while he is shorter, Silva provides experience on the court.
Texas Tech Key Matchup
The other key matchup for the Red Raiders comes from Miles Mcbride, who plays guard for the Mountaineers. He averages a team-leading 15.3 points per game. The key scoring matchup and perhaps x-factor for the Red Raiders is leading scorer and junior transfer Mac McClung. McClung is averaging 16.3 points per game and, as of lately, has been on fire. Notably leading the team to a buzzer-beating win at No. 4 Texas.
Keep an eye on these two matchups. With both teams’ rotating players, anyone at any time can explode in a barrage of points.
LSU vs. TTU
In a much anticipated Big 12 versus SEC matchup, the Texas Tech Raiders take on the LSU Tigers. While the Tigers may not be full of ranked opponents like Texas Tech, they are still a hazardous basketball team. The Tigers are coming off of 2 losses against an unranked Kentucky team and the other against a recently hot No. 18 Alabama team by 30 points.
The main problem looking ahead for the Red Raiders against LSU? Stop Cameron Thomas. Thomas is a Freshman Guard who is averaging 21.7 points per game and has proven repeatedly to be a problem against opponents for the Tigers.
LSU’s Offense Will be a Challenge
While there are no big critical matchups in the game, shutting down Thomas and the rest of LSU’s explosive offensive will prove a challenge. The Red Raiders will depend on much of their guard play with Kyler Edwards, Mac McClung, and others to step up and hit shots to keep the tigers at bay.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball team this season has been a roller coaster with both its ups and downs. With one of the most vigorous recruiting classes in program history, Red Raiders Head Coach Chris Beard has stayed optimistic about their teams’ season as the team has performed well in the regular season. With the ultimate goal to have another chance at the national championship.
The team started the season 2-1 with a loss to, now ranked No. 8 Houston, and has since only lost 3 of their last 12 games. With the Big 12 conference stacked in talent this year, five of the ten teams find themselves ranked in the top 25, and it wouldn’t surprise many if teams such as Oklahoma and OSU slipped into that category.
Texas Tech Looking Good
With a loss to a very competitive Oklahoma State early in January, the team has had two very convincing wins against Iowa State and Kansas State. A win at ranked Texas led them to the juggernaut of the conference, Baylor. In a close game, the team lost by eight to the No. 2 ranked team in the nation. After a week off, the team begins a week on the road and ready to finish Big 12 play strong.
Players such as Terrance Shannon Jr., Kyler Edwards, Kevin McCullar,s Marcos Santos-Silva, and Mac McClung are all having big games this season. Opponents are playing their best, with the possibility that any player could explode at any time this season.
Where to Watch?
You can watch the Red Raiders play Monday, January 25th at 8 p.m Central Time vs. the West Virginia Mountaineers on ESPN, and Saturday vs. the LSU Tigers at 1 p.m.
You can find more information about the Texas Tech Men’s Basketball team at TexasTech.com. Want to read more? go to Texas Tech vs. OU preview or Texas Tech’s preseason rankings.
By: Trint Porter, Campus Live Intern