UT Basketball: How Long Has It Been Since Texas Tech Won in Austin?

It’s been a long time since Texas Tech won a men’s college basketball game in Austin.

In fact, the Big 12 was not even around the last time Texas Tech beat Texas Basketball on their home court.

That almost changed on Wednesday night when the Red Raiders pushed the Longhorns to the limit. But, Eric Davis nailed a big-time three-pointer with less than 30 seconds left to give Texas the win.

This allows head coach Shaka Smart to say he’s never lost to Tech in Austin. Rick Barnes never lost in Austin, either. In fact, Tom Penders was the head coach the last time Tech won in Austin.

Texas Tech Has Not Won in Big 12 Era

So, when was the last time the Red Raiders beat Texas Basketball in Austin? The year was 1996. And the season was the final year of the Southwest Conference.

Tech actually beat the Longhorns three times that season. The Red Raiders won 79-78 in Lubbock, 75-58 in Austin, and 75-73 in the SWC tournament.

Tech finished the 1995-1996 season with an amazing record of 28-1 and 14-0 in SWC play. Their only loss was a random non-conference game against Eastern Michigan in December.

Then, the Red Raiders advanced deep in the NCAA Tournament. They were knocked out by Georgetown led by Allen Iverson in the Sweet 16 round.

However, after that season, Texas Tech was placed on probation for NCAA infractions. The Red Raiders have not beaten the Longhorns in Austin since then. Call it the curse of James Dickey, who was the head coach at the time.

Since then, head coaches Bobby Knight, Pat Knight, Billy Gillispie, Chris Walker, Tubby Smith, and new coach Chris Beard have lost on the Longhorns’ home court. Tech is close to being a good team again under Beard. But, they still have not won in Austin in over 20 years.