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The Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team returns to the Frank Erwin Center to play the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday.
Game Highlights
TV: Longhorn Network
Game Time: 7pm
Location: Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
About Texas Tech
Texas Tech is led by first year head coach Tubby Smith. Coach Smith led Kentucky to a national championship in 1998 but the Red Raiders would be content with getting back to the NCAA tournament.
Tech, to put it lightly, is performing below average in the Big 12 this season. They have already signed 3 commits from the 2014 class (all 3-star rated recruits).
Best PlayerÂ
Jaye Crockett
The Red Raiders are once again led by Jaye Crockett. He is one of the few players who could play meaningful minutes on a number of Big 12 teams. He is shooting nearly 60% on the season and averages 14 PPG.
Keys To Victory
Control the BoardsÂ
The Longhorns are very good at rebounding and rank 10th in the nation, statistically. Texas Tech ranks 205th in the nation in rebounding. This is a clear advantage for the Longhorns.
Get the ball down low to Holmes and Ridley. Â
Jonathan Holmes can post up when he wants to, he just doesn’t do it very often. Cameron Ridley is a force down low but his poor free throw percentage makes him a foul target on almost every play. I expect both to have a big game.
Don’t overlook TechÂ
It’s clear the Texas Longhorns have more talent than the Red Raiders. Texas won by 16 last year at home against the Texas Tech. It’s always a different story in Lubbock where every game seems to go to overtime but in the Drum, they dominate the Red Raiders. That’s doesn’t mean it will be an easy task. The Red Raiders are on scholarships too, they want to win. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot and you should be okay.
Prediction
I think Texas rolls in this game. They cannot afford to lose all the momentum gained from a successful non-conference season. Texas Tech is one of those teams you have to sweep if you want to make the tournament. Texas wins big.
Longhorns win 76-59
