Saturday Was a Perfect Storm for Texas Tech Basketball
The Texas Tech basketball team was aided by the rest of the Big 12 on Saturday when three of the top four teams lost to an underdog. Kansas lost to Baylor. West Virginia lost to Oklahoma State. Oklahoma got beat by Iowa State. It was the best possible scenario for Texas Tech.
When Texas Tech tipped off against Kansas State, they had the opportunity to be in sole possession of the top spot in the Big 12. The Red Raiders spotted the Wildcats seven points to open the game, but stayed close the entire half before tying it up at 27 heading into the second.
Tommy Hamilton was 4 for 4 from deep in the game, keeping the Red Raiders close in the first and sparking a stagnant offense several times. Hamilton finished with 14 as one of four Red Raiders in double figures.
The second half was all Texas Tech as the Red Raiders coasted to the victory in Manhattan 66-47 outscoring the Wildcats by 19 in the second half.
The Red Raiders' second half contained all the hits. Zhaire Smith dunks; Keenan Evans gets to the free throw line; and there was some ginormous poise from Jarrett Culver. The two freshman starters got 11 and 10 respectively, while Keenan Evans finished with 19, leading all scorers.
The Texas Tech bench outscored the Wildcat bench 18-7, which is a major theme this season for the Red Raiders, who have one of the best benches in the nation.
Speaking of the best in the nation, there are those out there who think Texas Tech should be in the top 3.
It's not a ridiculous argument either, with three of the top six teams ahead of Texas Tech losing games this week. If I was guessing though, a number 6 ranking heading into Tuesday's game against Oklahoma in Lubbock, Texas sounds about right.
And, as long as we're peeking ahead, Ken Pomeroy, a prolific sports writer and math nerd, put this up on Twitter after Saturday's perfect storm:
That's an 80 percent chance to own at least a sliver of the Big 12 Championship. I like those odds.