The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas Tech
No. 16/17 Women’s Basketball preview: at Texas Tech
02.08.2022 | Women's Basketball
The Longhorns travel to Lubbock for a rematch with the Lady Raiders.
Game 22: #16/17 Texas (15-6, 5-5 Big 12) vs Texas Tech (9-12, 2-8 Big 12)
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 – 7:00 p.m. Central
United Supermarkets Arena (15,000) – Lubbock, Texas
GameDay Quick Facts:
• TELEVISION: The game will be televised nationally on ESPN+. Ron Thulin (pxp) and Brandi Poole (analyst) will call the action.
• RADIO: 105.3 The Bat broadcasts every UT game on the statewide network. Craig Way (pxp) and Kathy Harston (analyst) will call the action. Check TexasSports.com for a listing of affiliates carrying the game.
• SERIES: Texas leads, 76-31. Last meeting: Texas Tech 74-61 (Jan.5 , 2022; Austin, Texas).
Notables:
LEADING IN: The No. 16/13 Texas Women's Basketball team will look to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday evening (7 p.m. CT) as it travels to Lubbock to square off with Texas Tech inside the Lady Raiders' United Supermarkets Arena. The Longhorns are coming off a pair of losses to No. 10/12 Baylor this past weekend, falling 75-63 in Waco before dropping a 63-55 contest to the Bears at home on Sunday. Texas Tech is coming off a 82-75 loss at Kansas State in their last outing on Saturday.
THE SERIES: Texas and Texas Tech will meet for the 107th time overall on Wednesday evening. The Longhorns own a commanding 76-31 advantage over the Lady Raiders in the all-time series and have won eight of their last 10 meetings. Tech defeated UT 74-61 in their first meeting this season on Jan. 5 inside the Erwin Center.
JUMPSTARTING THE OFFENSE: After averaging 82.5 points per game with a 46.1 field goal percentage during their nonconference schedule, the Longhorns' offense has stalled as of late and is averaging just 63 points through their last five games in conference play and are shooting just 38.8 percent from the floor.
In Sunday's 63-53 loss the Bears, the Longhorns were held under the 60-point mark offensively for the first time this season. Texas has surpassed the 70-point mark just once during conference play which can on a 73-57 victory over West Virginia on Jan.15.
THE SCHAEFER FORMULA: Longhorn head coach Vic Schaefer makes no secret in the way his teams have found success over the years. Relentless full court defensive pressure, attention to detail, and limiting turnovers and mistakes have been built in to the identity of his programs. The 2021-22 Longhorns are no different ranking among the best in the country in several defensive categories. UT currently ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 and No. 21 in the NCAA holding opponents to just 54.8 points per game. They also lead the league and rank No. 9 nationally in turnovers forced at 23.6 per contest.
SCOUTING THE LADY RAIDERS: Texas Tech has had an up and down 2021-22 campaign posting a couple marque wins early in Big 12 play but have struggled recently as they've dropped their last five contests including an 82-75 loss at Kansas State this past weekend.
Tech ranks No. 3 in the league in field goal percentage this season shooting at a 45 percent mark from the floor as a team. They rank No. 2 in the Big 12 in three-point shooting with a 37 percent clip.
The Lady Raiders are paced offensively by senior guard Vivian Gray, who is averaging 19.8 points per game in 13 contests. Gray has missed eight contests due to injury this season. Taylah Thomas is the teams' second leading scorer at 9.8 points per game and leads the team on the glass averaging 8.6 rebounds per game.
NEXT: Following Wednesday's tilt in Lubbock, Texas will return to the floor on Saturday, Feb.12 (7 p.m., LHN) to host No.12/18 Oklahoma in round No.2 of the Red River Rivalry inside the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns welcome in No. 9/ 13 Iowa State next Wednesday, Feb. 16 (7 p.m., LHN).
