The Texas Tech basketball team has been struggling to come out on top in close games, with a telling trend emerging in their losses this season. Despite being competitive in every contest, the Red Raiders have consistently come up short, with a crucial factor contributing to their defeats: free-throw disparities.
In five of their six losses, Texas Tech has been outperformed at the free-throw line, with their opponents attempting and making more shots from the charity stripe. This trend has proven to be a significant problem for the Red Raiders, as these close games have been decided by slim margins.
The numbers are striking. Texas Tech’s average margin of defeat has been a mere 3.8 points, indicating that these games have been highly competitive. However, the free-throw battle has been a decisive factor, with the Red Raiders’ opponents capitalizing on their opportunities from the line.
One notable exception to this trend was the 85-84 loss to Iowa State on January 11. In that game, both teams shot 24 free throws, with Texas Tech making 19 and Iowa State making 17. Although the Red Raiders ultimately came up short, they did manage to outperform their opponents at the free-throw line.
In their other losses, however, the free-throw disparity has been a major factor. Against St. Joseph’s on November 21, Texas Tech was 17-20 from the line, while the Hawks were 20-29. This three-point difference in free-throw makes proved crucial in a game that ended 78-77.
Similarly, in the 72-67 loss to Texas A&M on December 8, the Red Raiders were 9-12 from the line, while the Aggies were 13-18. Although the four-point difference in free-throw scoring did not account for the entire margin of defeat, the fact that the Aggies received six more attempts from the line played a significant role in the outcome.
The trend continued in the Big 12 opener against UCF on New Year’s Eve, where Texas Tech shot 14-18 from the line, while UCF was 19-22. This free-throw disparity ultimately turned the game in the Knights’ favor, as they secured an 87-83 victory.
As the Texas Tech basketball team looks to turn their season around, addressing this free-throw disparity will be crucial. By improving their performance from the charity stripe and limiting their opponents’ opportunities, the Red Raiders can gain a critical edge in these close games and start coming out on top.
