It's all new for Texas Tech basketball coach Grant McCasland.
But two of McCasland's firsts were negative. The Red Raiders suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in McCasland's tenure, and their second was their first home loss of the season against Cincinnati.
There is no statistical reason between the loss at TCU and the loss against the Bearcats. Each match had a different cause of defeat, although the final result was the same.
“We're going to go back and evaluate everything,” McCasland said after the 75-72 loss to Cincinnati. “There's nothing to say that wasn't part of it. … Just maybe our night wasn't that way. For me, especially the stretch where we turned the ball over, like we needed to solidify it. Felt, but then on a few baskets, they drove straight line to the basket and made some layups that were uncontested.
“For us, we can't have empty possessions. We don't have the depth and the best talent to be easily separated from people. All those possessions, we can't make sure we improve.” need to do it.” “
Looking to avoid a third straight loss, the Red Raiders will look to bounce back in their first matchup against Baylor inside the new Foster Pavilion, which opened in January. Tuesday's game saw McCasland return to Waco, where he began his formal coaching career as an assistant under coach Scott Drew.
Drew knows a thing or two about tough times in the Big 12. The Bears had lost three straight before the team's current winning streak, including Saturday's brawl against Iowa State. Those games included an overtime loss at home to TCU two days before Tech's loss at Fort Worth.
When Texas Tech defeated Kansas State last month, McCasland took advantage of former colleague Jerome Tan. He will try to do the same with Drew.
Trends to watch
Opponents are averaging 30 rebounds per game against the Bears. Baylor isn't necessarily the best rebounding team, but they're shooting well enough in limited opportunities, ranking second in the conference in field goal percentage at 49.1%.
Joe Toussaint bounced back nicely from his eight-turnover performance against TCU. The super senior point guard had no giveaways and five assists before fouling out against Cincinnati. But Saturday's loss marked the fourth time in Toussaint's last five games that he has been held to single digits in points. Technology is 1-3 in these games.
more:'Unacceptable': No excuses for Texas Tech basketball after home loss to Cincinnati
Key statistics
There's one big thing that Baylor University is better than everyone else in the country, and there's one big thing that Texas Tech is worse than everyone else in the conference.
The Bears boast the nation's first 3-point shooting percentage, making 40.78% of their season attempts. Meanwhile, his opponents are shooting 39.9% from deep in Big 12 games against the Red Raiders, which ranks last in the conference. Sometimes it's very simple.
Score prediction: Baylor 81, Texas Tech 68
Conclusion: The Red Raiders are vulnerable to Baylor's biggest strength. For Tech to get a road win, it will have to be a huge effort on the boards and limit the Bears' 3-point range.
big 12 men's basketball
Texas Tech University Baylor
when: Tuesday, 8pm
where: Foster Pavilion in Waco
tv set: ESPN
record: Texas Tech 16-5, 5-3; Baylor 16-5, 5-3
Noteworthy points: Texas Tech will play three of its next four games at home and five games at United Supermarket Arena in February.
