Big 12 Showdown: No. 15 Texas Tech Hosts No. 11 BYU in Nationally Ranked Clash
There’s no shortage of intrigue tonight in Lubbock, where No. 15 Texas Tech welcomes No.
11 BYU to United Supermarkets Arena for a high-stakes Big 12 battle. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
CT, and with ESPN carrying the broadcast and the arena officially sold out, all eyes will be on this marquee matchup. It’s the first of two meetings between these ranked squads this season, with the rematch slated for the regular-season finale.
But make no mistake-this one already feels like a statement game.
Red Raiders Riding High at Home
Texas Tech (13-4, 3-1 Big 12) is undefeated at home this season, sitting at 9-0 after an 88-74 win over Utah. The Red Raiders are playing with confidence and cohesion, and that’s especially true for their star tandem: JT Toppin and Christian Anderson. Together, they’ve become one of the most dynamic duos in college basketball-and they showed exactly why on Wednesday.
Toppin is on a tear, stringing together six straight double-doubles, and his performance against Utah was nothing short of dominant. He dropped 31 points and grabbed 13 boards, but what really stood out was his versatility.
Seven assists, three made threes, and five blocks? That’s a stat line that screams NBA potential.
Toppin now leads the Big 12 in rebounding (11.1 per game), ranks fourth in scoring (21.3), and is fifth nationally in total field goals made. He’s also second in the country in offensive rebounds per game (4.7), making him a nightmare for opposing frontcourts.
Anderson, meanwhile, continues to be the engine of this offense. He matched a career-high with six made threes against Utah and finished with 26 points and 10 assists-his fifth double-double of the year.
He leads the conference in assists (7.4 per game) and ranks fourth nationally in that category. He’s already logged six games with double-digit assists, including a 13-assist night in the Big 12 opener against Oklahoma State.
Add in his 19.7 points per game, and you’ve got one of the most complete guards in the country.
Offensive Firepower and Deep Threats
Texas Tech isn’t just getting it done through its stars. This team is deep, balanced, and lethal from beyond the arc.
The Red Raiders lead the Big 12-and rank 14th nationally-with 11.1 made threes per game. Against Utah, they hit 13 of 31 from deep (41.9%), marking their 12th game this season with double-digit makes from long range.
They’ve twice tied the program record with 17 made threes, doing it against Oklahoma State and Lindenwood.
As a team, Tech is shooting 37.8% from three (third in the Big 12), while also taking care of the basketball-just 10.3 turnovers per game, good for second in the conference. They’re averaging 16.4 assists and 83.4 points per game, numbers that speak to both their unselfishness and offensive efficiency.
Beyond Toppin and Anderson, LeJuan Watts has been a steady contributor, averaging 13.0 points per game and coming off a nine-point, eight-rebound outing against Utah. Donovan Atwell added 12 points in that game, connecting on four triples to raise his season average to 11.8 points. Jaylen Petty, who had a breakout 20-point game at Houston, is pitching in 9.2 points per contest.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just a top-15 matchup-it’s a measuring stick for both programs. BYU enters the night with a 16-1 record and a 13-game winning streak, including a recent win over TCU. Texas Tech, meanwhile, is looking to protect its home floor and prove it belongs in the upper tier of the Big 12.
With both teams surging and the conference race heating up, tonight’s game has all the makings of a classic. Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring affair-Vegas has set the over/under at 162.5, and if recent trends hold, that number might not be high enough.
The Red Raiders are favored by 2.5, and they’ve earned that edge with their play at home. But BYU won’t go quietly. This one could come down to the final possession.
So buckle up. Lubbock is ready, the stakes are high, and the spotlight is on. Let’s see who rises to the moment.