Texas Tech’s Recent Losses Highlight Depth, Health, and Late-Game Issues
Two straight losses-first at UCF, then at home to Kansas-have exposed some of the growing pains Texas Tech is still working through as it navigates the grind of Big 12 play. But while the results were the same, the paths to defeat couldn’t have been more different.
Against UCF, the Red Raiders looked flat from the opening tip. Energy was lacking, and it showed in the hustle stats-loose balls, rebounds, second-chance points. The Knights beat Tech to just about every 50-50 ball and controlled the glass, setting the tone physically and mentally.
Then came Kansas. This one was a different story.
The effort was there, the intensity was up, but execution down the stretch was sloppy. Turnovers, missed assignments, and poor decision-making in crunch time allowed the Jayhawks to escape Lubbock with a win.
So while the losses don’t share a common thread in terms of how they unfolded, they both underscore a bigger truth: Texas Tech won’t hit its ceiling until it gets healthy and finds some consistency in its rotations.
Christian Anderson’s Absence Left a Void-But Some Stepped Up
When your floor general is missing, the offense can feel like it’s running without a compass. That was the case Monday night without Christian Anderson, who’s not just a talented guard-he’s the calming presence that keeps the Red Raiders organized when things get chaotic. His ability to control pace and make the right reads has been a stabilizing force all season.
Without him, the offense lost some of its rhythm. But credit to LeJuan Watts, who stepped into a bigger role and brought physicality and vision from the post. He distributed well and battled on the boards, giving Tech some much-needed toughness inside.
Jaylen Petty also deserves a spotlight. He took over much of the ball-handling duties and, despite some erratic moments, showed real promise.
He finished with 11 points, six boards, six assists, and two steals in 39 minutes. That’s a heavy workload for a young player still finding his footing, and while he faded a bit late, there’s a lot to like about his potential as a future lead guard.
Jazz Henderson, in limited minutes, also brought a spark. It wasn’t a huge sample size, but it was enough to suggest he might be ready for more responsibility off the bench.
What Needs Fixing Before the Tournament Run
The biggest issue facing Texas Tech right now isn’t effort or even scheme-it’s continuity. Injuries have kept this group from building the kind of chemistry that’s essential for postseason success. Until the core rotation gets healthy and stays that way, it’s hard to expect the kind of cohesion needed to make a deep run.
That said, there are specific areas that need tightening up. Late-game execution continues to be a concern, especially when it comes to taking care of the ball and getting stops when it matters most. Those are the moments where experience and leadership shine, and right now, Tech is still learning how to close.
LeJuan Watts, while productive, could help the cause by becoming more efficient with his shot selection. He’s a capable scorer and rebounder, but finishing around the rim and making smarter decisions with the ball will go a long way in tight games.
Size and depth are also lingering issues. The return of players like Robert Bamgboye and Josiah Moseley could help shore up the frontcourt, but they’ll need to get fully up to speed before March.
Bench Boost: Who Can Step Up?
If you’re looking for a spark off the bench, Josiah Moseley is the name to watch. He’s got the size to contribute in the paint and has flashed a reliable jumper, even stretching the floor with his three-point shot. There’s a lot of upside there, and if he can put it all together, he could be a real difference-maker down the stretch.
Another name to keep an eye on is Tyeree Bryan. He hasn’t quite found his rhythm this season, but his track record suggests he’s capable of more-especially from beyond the arc. If he can rediscover his shooting touch, he could provide some much-needed spacing off the bench.
Key to Beating West Virginia in Morgantown
Winning in Morgantown is never easy, but the path to victory is pretty clear for Texas Tech. First, they’ve got to own the three-point line-on both ends. West Virginia has struggled to defend the perimeter, so if Tech can get hot from deep, they’ll put real pressure on a Mountaineer offense that doesn’t have a ton of firepower.
Second, it’s about toughness. Rebounding, physicality, and setting the tone in the paint.
Tech needs to win the battle on the glass and assert themselves early. That kind of edge can open up the floor for the shooters and take the crowd out of the game.
If the Red Raiders can combine perimeter shooting with grit inside, they’ve got a strong shot at getting back in the win column. But it starts with energy-and ends with execution.