In what felt like a March showdown dropped into December, Texas Tech went toe-to-toe with a high-powered Arkansas squad and came up short, 93-86. On paper, that final score doesn’t quite capture how thoroughly the Razorbacks controlled this game. In truth, it’s surprising the margin wasn’t wider.
Let’s start with the basics: Arkansas was lights-out. The Razorbacks shot 52% from the field and a scorching 53% from beyond the arc.
They earned 16 more trips to the free throw line than the Red Raiders and converted 14 more of them. Meanwhile, Texas Tech struggled mightily at the stripe, sinking just 30% of their free throws-a number that will haunt any coach, especially in a game this tight.
Rebounding, which has been a concern for Arkansas this season, turned into a surprising strength. They won the battle on the glass 40-33, including a staggering 16 offensive rebounds on just 30 missed shots.
That’s more than effort-that’s dominance in the paint. For Texas Tech, giving up that many second chances is a recipe for disaster.
Defensively, the Red Raiders just didn’t have it. Arkansas had three players-Darius Acuff, Karter Knox, and Trevon Brazile-go for 20 or more.
That’s not just a hot hand; that’s a defensive breakdown. Outside of JT Toppin and Christian Anderson, who both played at an All-American level (free throw woes aside), no other Red Raider scored more than eight points.
That’s not enough firepower to hang with a team as deep and skilled as Arkansas.
The Razorbacks also controlled the tempo, outscoring Tech 18-4 in fast break points and swatting away six shots on the defensive end. They looked every bit like a team built for an Elite Eight run-big, skilled, deep, and confident.
So how did Texas Tech stay in it? Turnovers-or rather, the lack of them.
The Red Raiders gave it away just seven times, a credit to their ball security and discipline. And while he won’t light up the box score, Tyeree Bryan had his best game in a Texas Tech uniform.
He made timely plays and gave the Red Raiders just enough of a spark to keep things interesting down the stretch.
Still, when you step back and look at the numbers, it’s easy to imagine this being a 20-point loss. Compared to the lopsided defeat against Purdue, this was a better showing.
It had shades of the win over LSU. But if Texas Tech has serious aspirations of finishing in the top five of the Big 12-or making any real noise in March-they’ve got a lot of tightening up to do, especially on the defensive end.
Now, credit where it’s due-Arkansas is a tough cover. They’ve got size, they shoot it well, and they live at the free throw line.
But even with all that, they shouldn’t be scoring six points above their season average against a team like Texas Tech. The Red Raiders’ defense, which had shown signs of improvement recently, took a big step backward here.
One key absence loomed large: Luke Bamgboye. The Red Raiders’ best rim protector was sidelined with a concussion, and his absence was felt all over the floor.
Without him, Texas Tech was undersized and overmatched in the paint. He’s the biggest active player on the roster and a crucial piece of their interior defense.
His presence might not have changed the outcome, but it certainly would’ve helped on the defensive glass and in rim protection.
Depth was another issue. With Bamgboye out, the bench got thin in a hurry.
Jaylen Petty, listed at 6-foot-1, was essentially the only option off the bench. And while Petty gave it everything he had, Arkansas repeatedly attacked him with bigger guards.
He simply didn’t have the size or the experience to hold up defensively. That’s not a knock on his effort-it’s just the reality at this level.
Small guards can succeed, but they need to master the nuances of positional defense. Petty’s still learning.
Marial Akuentok didn’t see the floor, which says a lot about where he stands in the rotation right now. His size would’ve helped, but clearly, the coaching staff doesn’t think he’s ready for this level of competition. And with Latrell Hoover still out, the Red Raiders are walking a fine line when it comes to depth.
Defensive breakdowns weren’t limited to the backcourt. LeJuan Watts had a tough afternoon, often caught a step late or out of position, leading to unnecessary fouls.
And when you foul as much as Tech did in this one, you’re giving away free points-something you can’t afford against a team that already shoots the ball this well. The foundation of good defense is sound positioning.
Texas Tech didn’t have it.
Offensively, Watts had a mixed bag. He missed several shots he’s more than capable of making.
But to his credit, he still found ways to impact the game. Five assists without a turnover is a stat coaches love, and his presence on the floor continues to make Tech more dynamic.
When Watts, Anderson, and Petty are out there together, you’ve got three guys with point guard skills operating in unison. That kind of versatility bodes well for the offense moving forward.
Bottom line: this game showed both the promise and the flaws of this Texas Tech team. They’ve got talent, they’ve got a couple of stars, and they play smart basketball.
But the defense isn’t where it needs to be, the depth is a concern, and the free throw shooting is a glaring weakness. Against a team like Arkansas, those issues get exposed.
There’s still time to fix it. But if the Red Raiders want to be a real factor in the Big 12-and beyond-they’ve got to clean up the details. Because in a game like this, the details are the difference between a close loss and a statement win.