Texas Basketball: 3 reasons the Longhorns will upset Texas Tech

Terrence Shannon off to an inconsistent start

One of the highest-usage players that Adams and the Red Raiders have this season is also one that is off to an extremely inconsistent start. The former touted blue-chip recruit and junior shooting guard/wing Terrence Shannon made his debut late for the Red Raiders this season and still has played in less than a dozen games for them.

Shannon returned for the Red Raiders this season as one of their most talented and potent players. He’s just off to a pretty inconsistent start, especially in Big 12 play. Shannon has averaged a dozen points per game, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from beyond the arc so far this season.

It’s also worth mentioning that Shannon was held to just five points or less in four of the last five games. What Texas has to do is prevent players like Shannon from going off for 20+ points as he did in Texas Tech’s win over the West Virginia Mountaineers back on Jan. 22.

Moreover, there are other key players to watch for the Red Raiders, namely junior forward Bryson Williams. But Shannon could be a potential source of empty possessions for the Red Raiders in this game. So, it’s worth highlighting some of his struggles of late in terms of why this could be an upset win for Texas.

Junior guard Kevin McCullar is another one of Texas Tech’s leading scorers that is struggling of late in Big 12 play. He’s averaging just over a half-dozen points per game in Big 12 play. If the Longhorns can keep limiting the duo of McCullar and Shannon in this game, it will go a long way to pulling the upset in Lubbock.

Containing the explosive Williams will definitely be a crucial factor for Beard and the Longhorns on this night.