Another second-half collapse and no depth scoring has Texas Tech reeling after their third-ranked loss.
Saturday's 93-86 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks was more than just a missed opportunity; it was a full-on gut punch for a Texas Tech team still searching for answers against elite opponents.
The Red Raiders stormed into halftime with a 49-43 lead, only to unravel in the second half, getting outscored 50-37 in the process.
Sound familiar? That’s because it is. And it’s becoming a trend that should concern anyone wearing scarlet and black.
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Let's get one thing straight ... JT Toppin and Christian Anderson balled out. The duo combined for 56 of Tech's 86 points, putting on a clinic that kept the game from spiraling into a blowout.
Toppin dropped 30 points with 11 boards. Anderson chipped in 26 points and 11 assists. They did everything but drive the team bus back to Lubbock.
But here's the glaring issue - no one else stepped up.
Zero additional Red Raiders reached double digits. That kind of offensive black hole beyond your two stars is exactly how a promising season gets derailed.
And if Tech wants to compete in a stacked Big 12, where ranked teams are the rule, not the exception, someone - anyone - has to break through and give this team a legitimate third option.
This is now Texas Tech's third loss of the season, and all three have come against ranked opponents. That's not a coincidence, it's a warning sign.
Looking at the Big 12 standings, the competition is already heating up. Iowa State, Arizona, and Houston are all undefeated or with just a single loss. Even middle-tier teams like BYU, Colorado, and Oklahoma State are riding hot starts. And Tech, sitting at 7-3, suddenly finds itself squarely in the middle of the pack.
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That said, there's no need to slam the panic button just yet.
All three losses have come to quality teams. The season is far from over. But the margin for error is getting razor-thin, and Big 12 play hasn't even started. If Texas Tech can't find more scoring depth - and fast - it could be a long conference schedule.
The message is clear ... Toppin and Anderson can't do it all. It's time for the rest of this roster to wake up.
BIG 12 STANDINGS:
- Iowa State Cyclones (10-0 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Arizona Wildcats (9-0 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Houston Cougars (10-1 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- BYU Cougars (9-1 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Colorado Buffaloes (9-1 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-1 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- UCF Knights (8-1 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Arizona State Sun Devils (9-2 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Baylor Bears (7-2 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Kansas Jayhawks (8-3 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-3 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- West Virginia Mountaineers (8-4 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- TCU Horned Frogs (6-3 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Kansas State Wildcats (7-4 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Utah Utes (7-4 overall, 0-0 Big 12)
- Cincinnati Bearcats (6-4 overall, 0-0 Big 12)