I’ve got to hit the road to make it to Lubbock in time for tip-off, so this game preview will likely be a short one. Of course, most previews for re-matches with teams from the Big 12 usually get short shrift, as the detailed player write-ups are done the first time around. So, true to form, I shall link you to the first Texas Tech preview, which gives an in-depth look at the Red Raiders.

The first time these two teams met, Texas absolutely destroyed the Techsters, 73-47. The Longhorns were led by strong guard play by A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin, who combined to score 36 points. Texas also dominated on the glass in the first ballgame, outrebounding the Red Raiders by eleven.

The Pat Knight era

The biggest difference between last game and this one is the face of the man at the head of the bench. Bob Knight retired just days before Tech played Baylor, leaving the destruction in Austin as his last career loss. Since then, son Pat Knight has led the team to a shaky 3-4 record, sinking the team into the muddied pack in the middle of the conference.

Of those three wins, the most impressive was an absolute dismantling of Kansas State in Lubbock. Tech led by more than 20 in the second half, but let the Wildcats crawl back into it before finishing them off by an 84-75 count. The Red Raiders were led by Alan Voskuil, who went 5-for-6 from long range and scored a career-high 30 points. He was almost the entire Tech offense that night, as his seven-minute scoreless stretch in the second half also coincided with the Red Raiders making only three buckets over the same span.

Unless Texas lets Voskuil light them up for 30-plus points today, there shouldn’t be too much to be worried about. But history has shown that the Red Raiders can always jump up and bite teams when playing in the United Spirit Arena, so Rick Barnes and his team can’t be caught buying too much into their own glowing pub.

What to watch for

Control the fouls – The slashing style of play that Tech utilizes can result in a ton of free throws for the Red Raiders and can put key Longhorn players on the bench. Texas seemed to handle it pretty well the first time around, but today they still have to be careful not to hack at the driving guards.

Dominate the glass – As previously mentioned, Texas won the rebounding battle in the first game by a 38-27 tally. If the Longhorns can again dominate on the boards, it will limit the Tech possessions, something which will absolutely kill the chances of upset. Tech is not an efficient offensive team, so if the Longhorns prevent possessions with multiple looks they should be fine.

Turn up the pressure – It might seem ridiculous to say this after the Longhorns have shown such incredible defensive work the last few weeks, but they can’t afford to let up this afternoon. Texas Tech is prone to turnovers, as demonstrated by their shaky ball-handling in Austin and in the loss to K-State. The Longhorns can further limit Red Raider possessions by turning them over, and may even jump-start the transition game.

With Selection Sunday fast approaching, Andy Glockner’s Bubble Watch is now being updated twice a week. Today’s edition suggests that the Big 12 could still grab six bids, but that a worst-case scenario involves only four teams dancing. Glockner includes Texas Tech as a fringe team today, pointing out that the Red Raiders have a huge chance to make hay with a schedule that ends against the Longhorns, Aggies, Bears, and Jayhawks.

Tom Izzo hates the Big Ten Network. You’re not the only one, Coach.

A link that comes to us via the good folks at Rush the Court is flick.com user Sammy8146’s photo album from last night’s Tennessee-Vanderbilt game. Memorial Gym is a place that I can’t wait to catch a game in, and the energy in that building last night was incredible. Congrats to the ‘Dores on a solid, solid win.

Jeff at March Madness All Season took the time to project final conference standings, putting Texas undefeated the rest of the regular season with a loss in the conference tourney semis. I’m still trying to figure out who exactly he thinks will beat the Horns in that semifinal, as either I suck at math or things don’t add up correctly. But regardless of number flubs, give the man his props for actually trying to sort out the bloated mess that is made up of slots four through ten in the league.

Negligible movement in the polls this week, with the Horns sliding two spots to #12 in both rankings. The Jayhawk loss on Wednesday in Manhattan sent Kansas down a few rungs, slotting them 4th in the AP poll and 5th in the USA Today/ESPN ranking. Texas A&M and Kansas State were the other two Big 12 teams earning spots, with the Aggies sitting at 18th in both polls and the Wildcats checking in at 20th (AP) and 24th (Coaches). Baylor received votes from both the media and the coaches.

The big story this morning is, of course, the sudden departure of Bob Knight. His sudden retirement forces son Pat to hold the reins for the rest of Tech’s season, starting with a road game against Baylor on Wednesday. The odd timing has caused speculation that Knight was perhaps involved in another altercation, or that his wife’s medical problems have become too serious to allow the General to remain on the sidelines. I know I’m not alone in hoping that neither of these things are true, and wish Coach Knight the best of luck in his further endeavors. For two more (differing) views on the story, check in with William S. Reid at CNNSI.com or Pat Forde at ESPN.

Tuesday morning means another round of Bracketology to mull over. This time, Lunardi has the Longhorns as a 4-seed, one of six Big 12 teams in his field. Only the Big East has more in the hypothetical Big Dance, placing a full half of their 16-team conference in the mix. Other B-12 squads who were deemed worthy by Lunardi include Kansas (1-seed), K-State (3), Baylor (6), Texas A&M (7), and Oklahoma (10).