Texas Tech Looks to Extend Non-Conference Home Streak as Wyoming Comes to Lubbock
There’s a rhythm to winning at home, and right now, Texas Tech is dancing to it better than almost anyone in the country. The No.
20 Red Raiders welcome Wyoming to United Supermarkets Arena today at 2 p.m. CT, aiming to push their non-conference home win streak to 44 games.
That’s not just impressive-it’s elite territory, trailing only Auburn and Baylor nationally.
Texas Tech enters the matchup at 5-2, fresh off a dominant 32-point win over New Orleans that showcased both the team’s offensive firepower and defensive discipline. The Red Raiders are a perfect 4-0 at home this season and remain unbeaten in non-conference home games under head coach Grant McCasland, now 20-0 in such contests. Last year’s 96-49 rout of Wyoming is still fresh in memory-a game that saw JT Toppin announce himself in a big way with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Christian Anderson made a flashy collegiate debut with nine points, four assists, and three steals.
Wyoming, though, isn’t coming in quietly. The Cowboys are 6-1 and riding a two-game win streak after dismantling Denver 101-59.
This will be just their second road test of the season, and they’re looking to avenge last year’s blowout loss to Tech. While Wyoming holds a narrow 7-6 edge in the all-time series, the Red Raiders have won four of the six meetings played in Lubbock.
Toppin, Anderson Leading the Charge
JT Toppin has been a walking double-double this season-and not just by Big 12 standards. He leads the conference with 11.3 rebounds per game and sits fifth nationally in that category.
His 21.3 points per game rank fourth in the Big 12, and he’s been a force on the offensive glass, pulling down 5.3 offensive boards per game-second-best in the country. Against New Orleans, he grabbed a season-high nine offensive rebounds en route to a 19-point, 16-rebound night.
Christian Anderson, meanwhile, is settling into his role as the Red Raiders’ floor general. He’s coming off a career-best performance from beyond the arc, hitting six 3-pointers and finishing with 23 points.
He’s top-10 in the Big 12 in assists (7.1), points (18.6), steals (2.29), and threes made per game (3.14). Nationally, his assist numbers crack the top 10, a testament to his court vision and poise.
Sharp Shooters and Depth Production
Donovan Atwell continues to be a key weapon from deep, knocking down 3.86 triples per game-best in the Big 12 and seventh in the nation. He’s hit at least three 3-pointers in six of seven games and is shooting a blistering 45.8% from beyond the arc. Atwell is also closing in on a personal milestone, sitting just 19 points away from 1,000 for his career.
LeJuan Watts adds another layer to Tech’s depth, averaging 10.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He chipped in 12 points and eight boards in the win over New Orleans, continuing to provide steady two-way play.
Team Identity: Balanced, Relentless, and Efficient
This Texas Tech team isn’t just relying on stars-they’re winning with balance. The Red Raiders are averaging 82.1 points per game, with 17.1 assists, 40.3 rebounds, 8.0 steals, and 3.4 blocks. They’re leading the Big 12 in made 3-pointers per game (11.3) and offensive rebounds (15.3), and they’re fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.60.
Defensively, Tech has been stingy. No opponent has made more than eight 3-pointers in a game, and they’re holding teams to 71.4 points per contest. Against New Orleans, they allowed just 16 second-half points and limited the Privateers to 2-of-15 shooting from deep.
The Streak and the Rankings
Tech’s 43-game non-conference home win streak dates back to January 2020, when they fell in overtime to No. 15 Kentucky. It’s the third-longest active streak in the country, and they’re eyeing their own program record of 54 straight.
Despite a recent loss to Purdue, which dropped them five spots to No. 20 in the latest AP poll, the Red Raiders have now been ranked in 12 consecutive polls dating back to last season. They opened the year at No. 10 in the preseason rankings-the highest in program history-and finished last year at No. 8.
Scouting Wyoming
Wyoming may have taken a step back last season, finishing 12-20 overall and 5-15 in Mountain West play, but they’ve come out swinging this year. Head coach Sundance Wicks, now in his second season, has the Cowboys at 6-1 with four players averaging double figures.
Leland Walker leads the way at 12.6 points per game and has dished out 30 assists through seven games. Khaden Bennett and Nasir Meyer are each averaging 10.7 points, while Damarion Dennis adds 10.1.
Uriyah Rojas leads the team with 12 made 3-pointers and chips in nine points per game. In their most recent game, the Cowboys shot 10-of-22 from deep and out-rebounded Denver 44-31, with Walker scoring 16 and both Bennett and Meyer adding 14 apiece.
Wyoming’s only blemish came in a road loss to Sam Houston-a team Texas Tech handled comfortably in their season opener. But this is a group that can shoot, rebound, and score in bunches, and they’ll be motivated to erase the memory of last year’s lopsided loss in Lubbock.
What’s at Stake
For Texas Tech, it’s about protecting the streak, staying sharp in non-conference play, and continuing to build momentum heading into the heart of the schedule. For Wyoming, it’s a chance to prove they’ve turned a corner and can compete on the road against a top-25 team.
Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. CT, and you can catch the action on ESPN+ or listen in on TTRN.