In the world of college basketball, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are making headlines, but not for all the right reasons. Despite a commanding 100-72 victory over Kansas State, the Red Raiders have slipped to No. 16 in the latest AP poll. This drop comes on the heels of a tough 72-67 loss to an unranked Arizona State team and the unfortunate season-ending injury to their standout player, JT Toppin.
The Big 12 conference is fiercely competitive, with several teams making waves. Arizona holds a strong position at No. 2 with a 25-2 record, while Iowa State and Houston are nipping at their heels, ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Kansas and BYU also find themselves in the top 20, showing the depth and talent within the conference. Meanwhile, UCF is on the radar, receiving votes and looking to break into the rankings.
It's worth highlighting that Texas Tech has already taken down some of these top-tier teams, including Arizona, Houston, and Duke, with Toppin playing a pivotal role in those victories. Looking ahead, the Red Raiders are gearing up for a critical matchup against Iowa State this Saturday, a game that could have significant implications for their standings.
But first, Texas Tech will hit the court against Cincinnati on Tuesday night, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. Fans will be watching closely to see how the team adjusts without Toppin and whether they can regain their momentum in this crucial stretch of the season.