Big 12 Battle in Lubbock: Kansas, Texas Tech Set for High-Stakes Monday Night Clash
There’s no easing into the week in the Big 12 - not when Kansas and Texas Tech are squaring off in Lubbock under the Monday night lights. Two teams with identical 16-5 records, both coming off very different trajectories, will meet in a game that could have major implications for the conference race and beyond.
Let’s break down what’s at stake, who’s hot, and what to watch as the Jayhawks visit United Supermarkets Arena for a marquee showdown.
Kansas: Heating Up at the Right Time
Kansas rolls into this one riding a five-game win streak and playing arguably its best basketball of the season. The Jayhawks haven’t dropped a game since January 10, when they fell on the road to West Virginia.
Since then, it’s been nothing but momentum - capped off by a 90-point performance in their latest win over BYU, a night that also marked the 1,000th game played at Allen Fieldhouse. If there were any questions about this team’s offensive ceiling, that game offered a pretty loud answer.
Freshman phenom Darryn Peterson continues to shine. He poured in 18 points in the first half against BYU before cramping forced him to the bench for much of the second.
Even in limited minutes, his impact was undeniable. Bryson Tiller stepped up with a team-high 21 points, while Tre White added 12, showing once again that this roster has multiple scoring options and isn’t dependent on just one guy to carry the load.
What’s been especially impressive is the balance - Kansas is getting contributions across the board, and the chemistry is clicking at just the right time. With Utah coming to Lawrence next, followed by a heavyweight matchup against undefeated Arizona, this trip to Lubbock is more than just another conference game. It’s a tone-setter for a critical stretch.
Texas Tech: Looking to Rebound on Home Court
Texas Tech is also 16-5, but the Red Raiders are coming off a tough road loss at UCF that snapped their own five-game win streak. It was a game where JT Toppin did everything he could - 27 points, 10 rebounds - but it just wasn’t enough. Christian Anderson chipped in 17 points and nine assists, continuing his strong play as one of the conference’s top guards.
Before that stumble in Orlando, Texas Tech had been rolling. They picked up road wins at Colorado, beat Utah and BYU at home, and notched signature victories over Baylor and Houston - the latter a revenge win that showed just how dangerous this team can be when it’s locked in.
Now, back in Lubbock, the Red Raiders have a chance to reset and make a statement. They’ve been tough to beat at home, and their physical, grind-it-out style tends to wear opponents down over 40 minutes. With West Virginia and Colorado on deck, plus a brutal road swing to Arizona and Arizona State looming, this game feels like a must-win if Tech wants to stay near the top of the Big 12 standings.
Matchup to Watch: Scoring Stars Take Center Stage
This one features some serious firepower. Kansas brings a starting five loaded with scorers - Peterson (21.3 ppg), White (14.8), Flory Bidunga (14.5), Melvin Council Jr.
(13.7), and Tiller (9.0). That’s a lineup that can hurt you in transition, in the halfcourt, and from the perimeter.
Texas Tech counters with its own dynamic duo in Toppin (22.4 ppg) and Anderson (19.6). Add in LeJuan Watts, Donovan Atwell, and Jaylen Petty, and you’ve got a group that can go toe-to-toe with anyone offensively.
But this game might come down to defense and depth. Can Kansas keep Toppin from dominating the paint?
Will Peterson be at full strength after the cramping issues against BYU? And can Texas Tech’s supporting cast step up if the Jayhawks key in on Anderson?
Series History & Betting Lines
Kansas leads the all-time series 43-9, but it was Texas Tech who took the last meeting - a 78-73 win on March 1, 2025. That result is still fresh, and the Red Raiders will look to replicate that formula at home.
As for the numbers: Texas Tech enters as a 4.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 153.5. The Red Raiders are -210 on the moneyline, while Kansas sits at +175 - a tempting underdog play given the Jayhawks’ recent form.
Game Info
- Tip-Off: 8:00 p.m. CT
- Location: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, TX
- Watch: ESPN / Stream on FuboTV
Final Word
This is what Big 12 basketball is all about - two teams with talent, toughness, and something to prove. Kansas is surging, Texas Tech is looking to bounce back, and both know how much this game could shape the rest of their seasons.
Expect a battle. Expect intensity. And expect a game that reminds us why this conference is one of the deepest and most competitive in college hoops.