Texas Tech Triumphs: Red Raiders Dismantle No. 6 Kansas in Stunning Upset

Texas Tech Red Raiders delivered a basketball masterclass, toppling the No. 6 Kansas Jayhawks in a staggering 79-50 victory. The Jayhawks, who never once led in regulation, were left to grapple with their road woes, which have become a recurring theme this season.

“Kevin Obanor Texas Tech (cropped)” by 2C2K Photography is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Red Raiders came out guns blazing, especially from beyond the arc. In the first half alone, they were a blistering 8-14 from three-point land, with five different players sinking triples. Their dominance wasn’t just limited to shooting; they out-rebounded the Jayhawks 37-23 and shot an impressive 57% from the field to Kansas’s 29% in the first 20 minutes. This stellar performance allowed Texas Tech to cruise into halftime with a nine-point cushion.

But the star of the show was undoubtedly Darrion Williams. The sophomore guard, who normally averages under 10 points per game, had the game of his life. He went 12-12 from the field, including a perfect 4-4 from three-point range, and made both of his free throws. Williams not only scored a career-high 30 points but also snagged 11 rebounds, marking his sixth double-double of the season. As Texas Tech Basketball tweeted, ‘SHOOTA ?@OfficialDW03 hits a new career high 18 points!’ Williams’ performance was nothing short of sensational.

On the flip side, Kansas’s Hunter Dickinson, who averages 18 points per game, was held to a mere five points, highlighting the Jayhawks’ inefficiency in the paint. Their three-point shooting was also lackluster, with the team managing a paltry 19% from behind the arc. Nicolas Timberlake and Johnny Furphy were the only ones who could muster anything from long range.

The Jayhawks’ roster issues, particularly the absence of Kevin McCullar due to a knee injury, have been a thorn in their side. McCullar, a transfer from Texas Tech, missed his third game in the last five, and his presence was sorely missed.

Texas Tech’s home record is now an imposing 13-1, while Kansas’s road record has slumped to a concerning 29% win average. This defeat was Kansas’s lowest-scoring game since November 2022, and with March Madness looming, their road record could be a significant blemish on their tournament resume.

The atmosphere in Lubbock was electric, with fans chanting ‘overrated’ at the struggling Jayhawks. Kansas head coach Bill Self was ejected in the final minutes after receiving back-to-back technical fouls for disputing a foul call. Self later stated that he did not curse or intend to get thrown out, but he did utter a ‘magic word’ that led to his ejection.

As the game wound down, the crowd’s jeers grew louder, with chants of ‘Start the bus!!!’ and ‘They hit 50!’ following a late layup by Furphy. The Jayhawks left the court with looks of astonishment and frustration, a stark contrast to the jubilant Red Raiders who had just secured a monumental win.

Kansas now looks to regroup with a week off before facing Oklahoma, while Texas Tech savors this victory before taking on another Top 10 opponent. This game will be remembered as a testament to the Red Raiders’ resilience and a reminder that in college basketball, any team can rise to the occasion on any given night.