Texas Tech opened Big 12 play against Iowa State this past weekend. After the Red Raiders got up by 14 in the second half, the wheels completely fell off and the Red Raiders got beat 63-56. Things don't get easier this week as #7 West Virginia comes to town and then the Red Raiders head to Lawrence Saturday to face off against #3 Kansas. Can Texas Tech pull off an upset or two, or will Texas Tech fall to 0-3 in the Big 12.
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West Virginia Key Players
| Category | Stat | Name |
| Points/Game | 12.6 | F Esa Ahmad |
| Rebounds/Game | 6.4 | F Nathan Adrian |
| Assist/Game | 4.5 | G Jevon Carter |
| 3pt Made/3pt % | 16/32, 50% | G Daxter Miles Jr. |
| Free Throw % | 26/33, 78.8% | G G Jevon Carter |
The Mountaineers are a well-rounded team. They can get in done both inside and out although they don't shoot a lot of 3-pointers. They have four players who average double-digit points per game including guard Jevon Carter who averages 10.2 points a game along with 4.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 steals. That's a pretty ridiculous stat line. One thing that is interesting about West Virginia is that the team's best free throw shooter, also Carter, is only shooting 78.8% from the line.
Last 5 Games
| 12/10 Virginia Military Institute | W 90-55 |
| 12/17 UM-Kansas City | W 112-67 |
| 12/20 Radford | W 84-57 |
| 12/23 Nothern Kentucky | W 92-61 |
| 12/30 Oklahoma State | W 92-75 |
West Virginia's only loss of the year came against Temple earlier this season in the NIT Tip-off. The now 9-6 Owls upset the Mountaineers 81-77. West Virginia picked up a quality win over then #6 ranked Virginia in non-conference play as well. In their first Big 12 game this past week against Oklahoma State, the Mountaineers handled the Cowboys pretty easily to a tune of 92-75.
Prediction
Texas Tech 72 - #7 West Virginia 85
Guys I'm sorry, but West Virginia is really good. Once Iowa State started applying pressure in the second half, the team couldn't make a basket to save their lives. West Virginia is known for their ferocious press defense which could mean trouble for the Red Raiders. For Texas Tech to have a chance, they have to have someone step up to be the "go-to guy" when scoring points against West Virginia is most crucial.
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