Notes before No. 23/21 Texas plays No. 14/14 Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas — On their way to practice this morning at the United Supermarkets Area in Lubbock, Texas men’s basketball team needed a police escort due to Texas Tech fans protesting Chris Beard’s return.

They are very upset in Lubbock, Texas and there is a line that has already formed to get into the game six hours early. CBS Austin Sports Director Bob Ballou visited Chris Beard’s favorite BBQ spot in Lubbock and the owner said:

Tom & Bingo’s Hickory Pit Bar-B-Q was one of @ChrisBeardUT favorite spots in Lubbock.

Owner Ian Timmons: “Any bad blood you’re gonna see is only a testament to how much we loved Chris Beard. We were about to build statues for this guy…then he left us.” pic.twitter.com/10A6nkqQgb

— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) February 1, 2022

This may be the most watched game on ESPN2 Tuesday Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. When Texas Longhorns, who have the leading scoring defense in the country, battle Texas Tech Red Raiders the emotions run high from Texas Tech. Texas and Texas Tech have identical records (16-5, Big 12 5-3)

Texas has the No. 1 scoring defense in the nation allowing an average of 54.5 points per game in the past 21 games. Texas Tech has allowed 60.3 points in the same number of games, however their FG% is 47.6 to Texas’ FG% of 46%, and they have yet to lose at home. Iowa State and Kansas State, so far, are the only teams to keep Tech from scoring more than 51 points and Tech lost both of those matches.

This will be the 152nd time Texas plays Texas Tech with Texas holding the lead all-time 88-63, though Tech leads 35-29 when played in Lubbock.

Texas Tech has five players who are averaging double digits per game: Terrence Shannon, Jr. (12.0), Kevin McCullar (10.5), Kevin Obanor (10.4), and Davion Warren (10.3). Texas has three players averaging double digits per game: Timmy Allen (11.8), Marcus CARR (10.6), Andrew Jones (10.1), and Courtney Ramey (9.8) is very close.

Key factors to watch:

How much playing time will Andrew Jones get? Texas will need Jones to have a high scoring game tonight.

Can Texas’ bench score over 20? Texas has 10 players that Beard rotates in and their ability to produce against Texas Tech from the bench will be critical along with keeping turnovers at a minimum.

Can Texas ignore the Texas Tech hometown crowd. The game will likely have a sold-out crowd as fans have camped out and are already lined up at the stadium some 8 hours early.