Big 12 gauntlet: Texas Tech prepares for Kansas, hostile environment Allen Fieldhouse

After scoring a season-best 23 points, Terrence Shannon, Jr. wanted more.

The Texas Tech junior wing has had his big-time scoring performances, netting a 24-point, 18-rebound double-double in a neutral-site loss to DePaul in his hometown of Chicago.

Shannon has played this game long enough to know the wins reverberate longer and become woven into program lore, compared to pouring in points and attempting to achieve individual accolades.

So, when he was asked for his general thoughts about a rematch against No. 7 Kansas at 8 p.m. Monday, it wasn't shocking to hear his response.

"I never won there, so I plan to win this year," Shannon said.

That's a statement that stands taller than Shannon, who's listed at 6-foot-6, but shows the type of mentality he and the rest of his teammates are taking into the second half of the Big 12 Conference fight.

More: Shannon, Jr. regains shooting form as No. 18 Texas Tech basketball defeats West Virginia at home

The No. 18 Red Raiders are not only looking at the chance of securing the program's second victory inside Allen Fieldhouse, but also securing a sweep over the Jayhawks for the first time as well.

It's a tall task, but one that Texas Tech coach Mark Adams has been a part of — providing his guidance as an assistant back on Jan. 2, 2018.

"I'd rather not even think about it," Adams quipped Saturday when queried for his thoughts on the Jayhawks (16-2, 5-1), who notched a 78-75 comeback road win against Kansas State over the weekend.

After a few moments, to let the joke settle in, the Red Raiders first-year coach brought up his appreciation for Kansas coach Bill Self, who coached against the Wildcats on Saturday a day after his father, Bill Sr., died at the age of 82.

"I think Bill Self is a guy I have a lot of admiration for the way they play on both ends of the floor," Adams said. "He just does a remarkable job on the offensive end of creating angles and the way they have the slow movement about them.

"They're very tough to guard. So we'll have to try to bring our defense and play in front of a great crowd. It'll be a fun game, but it'll be a game we'll get better from — win or lose."

Photos: No. 15 Iowa State at No. 18 Texas Tech, Jan. 18

The Red Raiders know how to win on the road, securing a 65-62 victory over then-No. 1 Baylor in Waco. In that contest, Texas Tech won the battle in the paint (36-22), did not make mistakes with the basketball (12 turnovers) and found a way to close out the contest with timely free throws — Davion Warren knocking down a pair with 22 seconds remaining.

The same formula worked as Texas Tech secured its 12th home victory by fending off a feisty West Virginia squad Saturday.

Shannon netted 23 points in the win, while Kevin Obanor and Bryson Williams combined for 26 points and nine rebounds. Adonis Arms just missed a double-double with 14 points and nine boards.

"I feel like it says that we know how to finish a close game," Shannon said, alluding to Texas Tech increasing a six-point lead in the final 1:45 against West Virginia. "Even when I was out, they finished close games against Kansas, Baylor. I feel like when I came back, they just allowed me in.

"They let me work my way back into the rotation."

The Red Raiders were also able to play well on the defensive end — which included drawing charges on an aggressive Mountaineers offense.

"I think that's what they emphasize," Self said of Texas Tech taking so many charges. "Mark does a good job (of that). You don't play off two feet against them. ... That's what Mark emphasizes, he wants to (rise) up and swarm to the ball."

The Jayhawks own the best offense in the conference, which averages 80 points per contest while shooting 49.7% from the field and 36.7% from the 3-point line.

Ochai Agbaji leads the way, netting 20.4 points with 4.9 rebounds per game. Christian Braun (15.3 points per game) follows while Jalen Wilson (8.9 ppg), David McCormack (8.8 ppg) and Remy Martin (8.7 ppg) round out the offense.

Photos: Red Raiders men's hoops vs. West Virginia

"They're a good 3-point shooting team, too," Adams said of Kansas, which attempts seven triples per game. "So we'll have to make sure we guard the 3-point line."

More so, the Red Raiders will need to turn in one of their best defensive performances if they want to record a historic win.

"It was an ugly win until it's over and, now, it's a beautiful win," Adams said Saturday night following the win over the Mountaineers. "We're done with it. We're glad and relieved. We can enjoy the day before we have to start thinking about ... Kansas on Monday night. They just keep coming. The Big 12 is tough."

NO. 18 TEXAS TECH AT NO. 7 KANSAS

When: 8 p.m. Monday

Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kan.

Records: Texas Tech 15-4, 5-2; Kansas 16-2, 5-1

TV: ESPN

Radio: FM 97.3/FM 100.7/ Sirius Ch. 81

Notable: Texas Tech is looking to sweep the season series against Kansas for the first time in program history. The Red Raiders are 1-20 when competing against the Jayhawks in Lawrence. TTU secured its first win at The Phog back on Jan. 2, 2018.

Game updates: Follow @cmsilvajr on Twitter for live updates, with postgame recap and interviews to follow on www.lubbockonline.com.

BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL STANDINGS

Team Big 12 record Overall record

Kansas 5-1 16-2

Baylor 5-2 17-2

Texas Tech 5-2 15-4

TCU 3-2 13-3

Texas 4-3 14-5

Oklahoma State 3-4 10-8

West Virginia 2-4 13-5

Iowa State 2-5 14-5

Oklahoma 2-5 12-7

Kansas State 2-5 10-8

Monday schedule

Texas Tech at Kansas, 8 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday schedule

Texas at TCU, TBA, ESPNU

Kansas State at Baylor, 7 p.m., ESPN+

Wednesday schedule

Oklahoma at West Virginia, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Iowa State at Oklahoma, 7 p.m., ESPN+

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech prepares for Kansas, hostile environment Allen Fieldhouse