Texas Tech Basketball Looks to Upset Big 12 Regular Season Champion Baylor

The Texas Tech Red Raiders will take on the one-loss Baylor Bears today in Waco, Texas. It is the second time these two teams will face off. In the first match-up, the Bears took an eight-point win in Lubbock. Since then, Baylor has lost once, canceled many games, and still won the Big 12 Regular-Season Championship.

Guard Play

The Bears have a bunch of talented guards in their rotation. Most of their guards coming off of the bench would start at most other Big 12 Schools. They are led by Jared Butler, who is averaging 17 points per game. He is their late-game closer, and it showed in Lubbock when he scored two key three-pointers to bury the Red Raiders.

MaCio Teague is another great guard for Baylor. He is averaging almost 15 points per game. He scored 14 against Texas Tech in their last matchup. Davion Mitchell is their other starter at guard. He is the team’s third-leading scorer at 13.6 per game. He shoots 45% from behind the three-point line on almost five attempts per game. Giving him little-to-no space behind the three-point line will be crucial for the Red Raiders.

Incredible Role Players

The frontcourt is talented as well. Mark Vital is one of the best defenders in the Big 12 as he averages almost two steals and one block per game. He can guard almost any position and often guard the opponent’s best player that is not a point guard. Coming off the bench is a pair of guards and one post player that can change the game.

Johnathon Tchamwa Tchatchoua is their best post presence off the bench. He averages over 20 minutes per game and is second on the team in rebounds. Adam Flager is arguable their best scorer off the bench as he averages almost 10 points per game and shoots a very efficient 42% from behind the arc. Another name to look out for is Mathew Mayer. A 6’9″ guard that can shoot at a high clip from outside the arc is dangerous. Mayer is averaging 8.6 points per game.

The Red Raiders will need to have a great game to have a chance to win. This team will need to defend the perimeter better than in past games and the Red Raiders cannot let Jared Butler take over.