Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Primed To Face No. 8 Kansas
February 09, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Devaughtah Williams is averaging 22 points at home over the last two games. In fact, Williams has four 20-point efforts at home this season.
February 9, 2015
LUBBOCK, Texas - There are plenty of reasons to head to the United Supermarkets Arena on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. - mainly $1 million.
Texas Tech will host No. 8 Kansas at 8 p.m. at the United Supermarkets Arena in a nationally-televised game on ESPN2.
"There are not many defects in what Kansas does," said Red Raider head coach Tubby Smith. "Since the last time we saw them, it seems they have improved their outside shooting."
Besides a college basketball game, Texas Tech will also have a chance to win $1 million dollars. 10,000 scratch-off tickets will be handed out prior to the game. During the second half, six numbers will be drawn and displayed on the video board. If a fan's ticket matches those six numbers, they will win the $1 million prize. If a fan has five of the six numbers, they will win $1,000.
The Red Raiders are returning home where they have won two straight. Texas Tech upset then-No. 9 Iowa State, 78-73, and snapped a 10-game losing streak to Kansas State, 64-47.
"I do not know exactly what it is that makes us so different on the road versus at home," said Smith. "We have tried several things, but it seems that our players are just more comfortable at home."
With the win over Kansas State, the Red Raiders had notched their 12th victory at United Supermarkets Arena. It marks just the 10th time in program history that Texas Tech has won 12 or more victories at home.
But the 13th win will be no easy task for Texas Tech, as the Red Raiders are in Game 5 of a 12 game stretch where they will face 10 of 12 teams that are either ranked in the AP Top 25 or receiving votes in the poll.
"The Big 12 is the toughest conference in the nation," added Smith. "Night in and night out you have to be prepared to play the best."
Kansas might be just that, as the Jayhawks are in the driver's seat to win their 11th Big 12 title in the Bill Self Era.
The Jayhawks are led Perry Ellis, who is averaging 12.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He is joined in double figures by Frank Mason, who is averaging 12.6 points and 4.1 assists. In all, Kansas has eight players in double figures.
The Red Raider have been solid at home this season, putting up a 12-3 record at the USA. Over the last two home games, Devaugntah Williams has led the charge with 22 points against both Iowa State and Kansas State.
Robert Turner and Toddrick Gotcher are two other Red Raiders who have come on as of late. Gotcher had a career-high 17 against Iowa State and is averaging 12.7 points per game over the last three home games. Turner notched his first career double-double against Iowa State and has averaged 10.0 points per game over the last three home games.
Last season, Texas Tech seemingly had the upset in hand of Kansas at the USA, but Andrew Wiggins picked up a loose ball and sank the Red Raiders' hope with a lay-in to lift Kansas to a 64-63 victory.
The Red Raiders will also honor former Red Raider Darryl Dora, who is best known for leading Texas Tech past Kansas in both 2005 and 2007.
"If we play within ourselves, minimize our turnovers, then we have a chance to be successful," said Smith. "It is about executing our offense and executing our transition defense."
