Texas Tech hoping to stay in NCAA Tournament discussion, takes on No. 3 Kansas
Following a Big 12 Conference loss last week to then-No. 24 TCU, the Texas Tech men’s basketball team’s road to the NCAA Tournament got more difficult.
The Red Raiders, who rose up to ”Last Four In” as part of Joe Lunardi’s bracket projections prior to the TCU, had a four-game conference winning streak snapped. Texas Tech also stumbled into the ”Last Four Out” category with the loss, but still have an opportunity to climb back into the conversation.
To achieve that, all the Red Raiders have to do is beat No. 3 Kansas when the two squads face off at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Allen Fieldhouse — a feat accomplished by the program just once in the last 22 tries, back on Jan. 2, 2018.
To say the odds are not in Texas Tech’s favor would be a huge understatement, despite the Red Raiders falling 94-91 in double-overtime last season. Bryson Williams, who willed TTU in the contest with 33 points, graduated — along with several other key contributors such as Adonis Arms, Davion Warren and Marcus Santos-Silva among others.
Kevin Obanor, who netted 17 points in last year’s loss, returned. So did Daniel Batcho, who chipped in three points.
Terrence Shannon, Jr. and Kevin McCullar, Jr. transferred out with the latter playing for the Jayhawks and averaging 11.1 points and 7.3 rebounds.
Shannon has become the leading scorer for Illinois at 17.1 points per game, while McCullar’s made the transition as a defensive stopper for Kansas.
McCullar, along with Jalen Wilson (19.5 points, 8.4 rebounds), will be honored on Senior Night for the Jayhawks.
Seeing McCullar on the other bench hurts Texas Tech, which gave up 80-plus points for the third time in conference play and could have used a consistent defensive ace.
It led to Adams, a defensive minded coach, feeling disheartened — more so after losing the game by one point and unable to make a defensive stop en route to pair of free throws that sealed the win for TCU.
"The biggest disappointment is that we just don't have one guy on this team that just loves defense," Adams said last Saturday. "We just don't have a stopper. ... We've got to fall back in love with defense. And that will be the message this week."
Texas Tech will look to slow down the Jayhawks, who are averaging 76.4 points per game and have three players netting double figures — including freshman Gradey Dick (14.9 points, 5.0 rebounds).
The Red Raiders were unable to slow down a TCU squad not suiting out Eddie Lampkin Jr., Rondel Walker and PJ Haggerty.
Mike Miles, Jr., the Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, chipped in 24 points while JaKobe Coles (15 points), Emmanuel Miller (14 points) and Xavier Cork (10 points) shouldered the offensive load.
"TCU had a lot to do with it, but it wasn't one of our best games," Adams said. "I didn't think we were as quick and as sharp as we were the last two games. These guys have been under a lot of stress and we had a great crowd — they kept us in the game.
"We got down 10 and was proud of our guys for coming back. ... These guys are going through a lot, and we're probably a little bit worn our emotionally. And we'll need to regroup for that very, very tough game in Kansas coming up in a few days."
That emotional toll of starting conference 0-8 before forging a 6-2 mark to get back into the postseason discussion hit the Texas Tech players Saturday night.
Adams was coy on how his team would respond. But, a bounce back is certainly needed to keep the dream of the NCAA Tournament.
“We’ve got a very sad group in our locker room,” Adams said last Saturday. ”This team is getting used to winning and likes to win. And this game, really stung. It showed by the emotion in the locker room (Saturday night).
“So we’ll just learn from it and move on.”
TEXAS TECH AT NO. 3 KANSAS
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kan.
Records: Texas Tech 16-13, 5-11. Kansas 24-5, 12-4
TV: ESPN
Radio: FM 97.3
Fast fact(s): Texas Tech owns a 3-9 record against teams ranked in the AP Top-25 poll. … The Red Raiders are 1-21 against Kansas when playing in Allen Fieldhouse. Texas Tech’s lone victory over the Jayhawks in Lawrence was back on Jan. 2, 2018.
MEN’S BIG 12 BASKETBALL STANDINGS
Team, Big 12 record, Overall record
No. 3 Kansas 12-4, 24-5
Texas 11-5, 22-7
Kansas State 10-6, 22-7
Baylor 10-6, 21-8
Iowa State 8-8, 17-11
TCU 8-8, 19-10
Oklahoma State 7-9, 16-13
West Virginia 5-11, 16-13
Texas Tech 5-11, 16-13
Oklahoma 4-12, 14-15
TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE
Texas Tech at Kansas, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
Oklahoma at Kansas State, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Texas at TCU, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech hoping to stay in NCAA Tournament discussion, takes on No. 3 Kansas
