Red-Hot Red Raiders Eye Colorado Rematch Before Crucial Arizona Road Trip
Coming off a gritty 70-63 road win at West Virginia, the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (17-6, 7-3 Big 12) are rolling into a pivotal stretch of their season.
Next up? A rematch with Colorado on Wednesday night in Lubbock - followed by a daunting two-game swing through Arizona, where they’ll face the top-ranked Wildcats and a scrappy Arizona State squad.
But before the Red Raiders pack their bags for the desert, they’ve got unfinished business with a Colorado team that’s evolved since their last meeting - a narrow 73-71 Tech victory in Boulder back on January 10.
“They’ve made some pretty drastic changes,” head coach Grant McCasland said ahead of the rematch. “They’ve gotten better.
They’re playing different lineups, leaning into a younger group, and it’s working. They’ve got a guy in the rotation now who didn’t even play against us last time - and we know him well.”
Since that January clash, the Buffaloes have stumbled to a 2-6 record, but that doesn’t tell the full story. They’ve picked up wins over Arizona State and TCU, and McCasland isn’t taking them lightly.
“They’re competing. You can tell they’re making strides.”
That first meeting with Colorado was more than just a win - it was a spark. It kicked off a six-game winning streak for the Red Raiders, including statement victories over BYU and Houston.
But as the stakes rise, McCasland isn’t focused on reinventing the wheel. His priority?
Growth.
“I don’t know if we’re going to do anything differently,” he said. “The biggest thing for us is just continuing to improve.
We’ve got guys like Josiah Moseley and Luke Bamgboye who are going to be pivotal for us moving forward, and they haven’t had a ton of minutes yet. So how do we get them more involved?
How do we keep building urgency - especially on the defensive end?”
Bamgboye, in particular, made his presence felt late against West Virginia, coming up with a clutch block in the final minute to help seal the win. It was a glimpse of what McCasland believes the young forward is capable of - especially as he gets more consistent minutes.
“Luke’s one of those guys who gets better the longer he’s on the floor,” McCasland said. “He starts a little slow sometimes, but once he gets going, he’s competitive, he’s active, and he makes plays. That consistency - just seeing him compete - that’s what we need.”
McCasland also sees potential in pairing Bamgboye with standout freshman JT Toppin, who continues to be a force on both ends of the floor. Toppin is averaging 21.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, but it’s his growth as a defender that’s catching his coach’s eye.
“JT’s really improved defensively. His skill level’s gone up, he’s moving well, and he’s a great perimeter defender,” McCasland said.
“Getting him and Luke on the floor together gives us options. But every situation is different - it’s about understanding time, score, and the value of every possession.”
And while the frontcourt is finding its rhythm, the Red Raiders are also getting timely production from the perimeter - especially from senior guard Donovon Atwell. The sharpshooter went 4-for-5 from deep against West Virginia, and just two weeks earlier, he knocked down a pair of clutch threes late to help Tech edge Houston 90-86.
“Donovon’s been tremendous,” McCasland said. “Efficient doesn’t even do it justice.
He’s consistent, he’s competitive, and he brings it every day. That’s why he’s having success - it starts with his character and his work ethic.”
With momentum on their side and a top-25 ranking to protect, the Red Raiders are set for a crucial test. Tip-off against Colorado is set for 7 p.m.
Wednesday in Lubbock. Then it’s on to Tucson for a Saturday night showdown with No.
1 Arizona, followed by a Tuesday night tilt at Arizona State.
A lot can happen in a week - and for Texas Tech, it’s the kind of stretch that can define a season.