The Texas Tech basketball team could face a trap game on Saturday. They'll be stuck between home games against in-state rivals TCU and Texas, making a tough road trip to Orlando, Fla., to take on the UCF Knights.
In theory, this is a game that engineers should win. UCF is just 4-9 in Big 12 games and has lost four straight. Additionally, Tech could bring back big man Warren Washington, who missed two games with a foot injury.
But UCF will likely be the more desperate team. The Knights know they have to rack up wins if they want to be even remotely in the NCAA Tournament discussion.
So what will the home team bring to the court? Has their current losing streak taken away their desire to compete at the level needed to win Big 12 games? Or does the Red Raiders still have a lot of fight left to win?
Two weeks ago, UCF gave the Lubbock tech industry a scare. In a game the Red Raider won 66-59, both teams traded punches all afternoon, leading to a close game before Tech emerged victorious.
One difference in the rematch will be that UCF's explosive big man Ibrahima Diallo will be in the game this time. In Lubbock, he didn't play much, averaging 6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Without him in the lineup, Washington had a strong game with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Now, we're waiting to see if Tech will be able to utilize its dynamic center when the two teams meet again.
Matchup: No. 23 Texas Tech (19-7, 8-5) vs. UCF (13-12, 4-9)
Location: Orlando, Florida
Venue: Addition Financial Arena
TIP: Saturday, February 24, 2024, 3:00 PM CST
TV: ESPN+
TV Call: Chucky Kemp (play-by-play), Bullindon Manzer (analyst)
Radio (Texas Tech Sports Network): 97.3 Double T FM
Radio call: Jeff Haxton (play-by-play), Chris Revell (analyst)
(All game notes courtesy of TexasTech.com)
Series History: Tech Lead 1-0
In Orlando: First meeting
Last matchup: Tech won 66-59 (Feb. 10).
Knights join Big 12, Tech team plays at UCF for first time in program history
This season… Darrion Williams led the way with 13 points and 13 rebounds as Tech won in Lubbock.
Begins third consecutive double-double… Kerwin Walton added 12 points on four 3-pointers, Joe Toussaint added 11 points, and Warren Washington had 11 rebounds and 10 points.
The Red Raiders (19-7, 8-5 Big 12) are one win away from reaching the 20-win milestone for the 17th time in program history in 99 seasons.
Tech is currently ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press Top 25 and USA TODAY Coaches Poll, No. 25 in the KenPom and No. 28 in the NCAA NET rankings, and will be making its first visit to the UCF campus. . The Red Raiders are 2-4 on the road in Big 12 play with wins at Texas and Oklahoma. Tech returns from Florida and will play at United Supermarkets Arena in Texas starting Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Tech started the season with a 60-59 win over Kansas State, a 66-59 win over UCF, a 79-50 win over Kansas, and held three Big 12 opponents to under 60 points. There is.
Texas Tech has now won four games despite trailing by double digits late in the game…
The biggest comeback came after trailing by as many as 17 points against BYU. The team then fought back from an 11-point halftime deficit against Kansas State to win, and a nine-point hole in the second half at Oklahoma State led to a Big 12 game in which it had been trailing by at least nine points. They made three comebacks in the second half. Points…This season, Tech trailed UNI by 15 points, Kansas State by 12 points, BYU by 17 points, and in the game the Red Raiders fought back to win, they trailed TCU by 10 points at home. .
Darrion Williams was recognized Feb. 20 for his historic performance against Kansas, hitting 12-of-12 from the field, 4-of-4 from 3-point range, and 11 rebounds for 79 shots, according to The Associated Press Weekly. He was chosen as the best player. February 12th – 50 wins.
It's hard not to see this game as nothing more than a trap for Texas Tech. Hopefully Tuesday's emotional comeback against TCU didn't hurt the Red Raiders too much, as there could be an ambush in Orlando.
UCF isn't the easiest matchup for a small Red Raider team. The Knights are long, athletic and strong, giving Tech some fit for the game in Lubbock two weeks ago.
Now, UCF will be returning Diallo, their starting center and defensive cornerstone, to the team, which will put them in touch with another Tiger. But in modern games that doesn't matter.
Since playing in Lubbock, UCF has lost to BYU, Cincinnati, and West Virginia, leaving Cincy's only game in Orlando. In fact, three of the last four games have been played away.
Will the UCF faithful show up to cheer on their struggling team? If that happens, Orlando could be a tough place to play as the Knights have home wins over Kansas State and Oklahoma State this season.
Either way, I think Tech will find a way to win this game. The momentum from the win against TCU should give the Red Raiders momentum here, and they'll hope Pop Isaacs' 19-point performance against the Frogs snaps them out of their recent slump. I also expect Warren Washington to play in this game, which would be a huge boost for Tech.
At the end of the day, UCF is still a below-average team when it comes to shooting and scoring the ball. If Tech can have a normal shooting day by that standard, it should have enough offense for the Red Raiders to come away with a close victory.
Final score: Texas Tech 71 – UCF 67
