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Here are the 9 best Texas Tech-Texas basketball games in Big 12 era
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- Here are the 9 best Texas Tech-Texas basketball games in Big 12 era
All good (and bad) things must come to an end, and that includes the rivalry between the Texas Tech and Texas basketball teams .
With the Longhorns on their way to the SEC this summer, Tuesday's matchup in United Supermarkets Arena is the last known matchup on the hardwood between Texas Tech and Texas. A rivalry that dates back to 1939 , Tuesday will be the 157th meeting between the two teams.
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Recent history favors the Red Raiders, who have won 11 of the last 16 matchups and finished with five victories in their final six visits to Austin, including the 78-67 win on Jan. 6 .
With so many games, it's hard to narrow down the list of the best Texas Tech-Texas games, so we'll stick with games that have come with both teams in the Big 12 Conference. Here's a look at those games, which included some input from former Red Raiders.
FOOTBALL PERSPECTIVE: The Texas Tech football fan's most memorable games against Texas
February 1, 2022: No. 14 Texas Tech 77, No. 23 Texas 64
As soon as the Jan. 29 home game against Mississippi State concluded, fans began lining up to welcome Texas and head coach Chris Beard to town three days later. Beard's return to Lubbock after leaving for the Longhorns 10 months prior brought plenty of emotions across the spectrum.
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Joey McGuire fired up the student section. Ric Flair was in the house. Kevin Obanor went 5-of-7 from 3-point range for 17 points, Kevin McCullar finished with 19 points and Bryson Williams 16 to send the Red Raider faithful home happy.
Texas Tech students put up a horns sign hand gesture as the Texas team leaves the court at the game on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.
March 11, 2021: No. 13 Texas 67, No. 18 Texas Tech 66
Less than 4,000 people were allowed in T-Mobile Center for the 2021 Big 12 Tournament, but those in attendance got a treat of a quarterfinal matchup. Texas Tech held a 10-point lead at the under-12 media timeout. From there, the Longhorns charged back, leading to five lead changes down the stretch.
The final came when Kyler Edwards was called for a foul with two seconds left and Tech holding a 66-65 lead. Matt Coleman III hit a pair of free throws for the Texas win.
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March 4, 2019: No. 8 Texas Tech 70, Texas 51
The score wasn't as significant as the ramifications. Riding a seven-game winning streak entering the Monday-night showdown, Tech needed to beat the Longhorns — then close with a win at Iowa State — to secure the a share of program's first Big 12 title.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Top 5 games against Texas for Texas Tech women's basketball fans
The Red Raiders shot 50% from the field and rolled to the win. Jarrett Culver posted 16 points and seven rebounds to pad his Big 12 player of the year case and Tech closed out the regular-season title five days later.
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March 8, 2014: Texas Tech 59, Texas 53
A good ol' fashioned rock fight. The teams combined to shoot 6-of-30 from 3-point range, but the Red Raiders were pushed over the edge by a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double from Jaye Crockett.
The victory marked Tech's first win over the Longhorns in six years. Texas won 11 straight against the Red Raiders prior to this matchup.
March 1, 2008: Texas Tech 83, No. 5 Texas 80
The 2007-08 Longhorns were a juggernaut, spending most of the season ranked in the Top 10 and winding up in the Elite Eight. In the first regular-season matchup, Texas embarrassed the Red Raiders in Austin, running away with a 73-47 win. The return contest in Lubbock went a little different. Tech closed the first half on an 8-0 run to claim a 41-37 lead, which it would not relinquish the rest of the way.
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D.J. Augustin's 30 points weren't enough for Texas. Martin Zeno provided 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Alan Voskuil 18 points (including a perfect 10-for-10 at the line) and Trevor Cook 14 points off the bench in the Red Raiders' win.
January 31, 2007: No. 19 Texas 76, Texas Tech 64
Kevin Durant's lone visit to Lubbock was a battle of high-scoring standouts.
Durant went for 37 points and 18 rebounds in Texas' win. D.J. August added a double-double of his own with 14 points and 11 assists. Jarrius Jackson was 11-of-22 from the field for 27 points, Martin Zeno had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Charlie Burgess brought down 12 boards.
Texas Tech forward Warren Washington (22) celebrates after a win over Texas during the Big 12 basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at Moody Center in Austin.
February 28, 2004: No. 10 Texas 74, No. 25 Texas Tech 71
Both meetings during the 2003-04 season were memorable with the Longhorns winning both by a combined four points.
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In the return match from their 62-61 thriller in Lubbock, Texas held on down the stretch. The Red Raiders got it to 70-68 with 27 left before P.J. Tucker (15 points, 10 rebounds) hit a pair of free throws to widen the gap. Andre Emmett had 11 points over the final five minutes of the game, finishing with a game-high 21 points.
January 14, 2002: Texas 74, Texas Tech 71 (OT)
Marcus Shropshire's missed 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime prevented the Red Raiders from extending the game. The Longhorns got a pair of free throws from James Thomas with 6.9 seconds left in the extra session to come away with the win in Lubbock. Three players, including Thomas, had 18 points for Texas. Andy Ellis had 23 points and Andre Emmett 21 for Tech.
February 22, 1997: Texas Tech 72, Texas 70
The first meeting as Big 12 counterparts didn't go so well for the Red Raiders. Texas, ranked 23rd at the time, emerged with an 83-67 win on a Monday night. Texas Tech got even in the rematch in Lubbock Municipal Coliseum, a game that tipped at the odd time of 12:45 p.m.
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More: People on both sides lament hiatus of Texas Tech football series with UT
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Best Texas Tech-Texas basketball games of the Big 12 era
