Texas Tech Stuns No. 3 Duke in MSG Thriller, Signals They're a Big 12 Force to Be Reckoned With
Texas Tech walked into Madison Square Garden battered, bruised, and missing key pieces. But they walked out with one of the most significant wins of the college basketball season - and a message for the rest of the Big 12: don’t count them out.
Down 17 points in the second half to third-ranked Duke, the Red Raiders rallied behind a gutsy, electrifying performance to pull off an 82-81 comeback victory that instantly elevates their résumé and reasserts their place in the national conversation.
A Signature Win, Born in Adversity
Injuries have made it tough for Texas Tech to find rhythm early this season, and their defense hadn’t quite lived up to preseason expectations. But on Saturday, they found something - resilience, chemistry, and a spark that could ignite a deep run in March.
Playing without injured center Luke Bamgboye, the Red Raiders leaned on their core trio - and they delivered.
JT Toppin, already earning All-American buzz, battled foul trouble late but stayed on the floor for the final 11-plus minutes with four fouls. He finished with 19 points, showing poise and leadership when it mattered most. But the real engine of the comeback was Christian Anderson.
Anderson poured in 23 of his 27 points in the second half, torching Duke’s defense with a mix of deep shooting, quick drives, and fearless shot-making. His second-half explosion turned the tide and gave Texas Tech the belief it needed to close the gap.
And then there was LeJuan Watts - the defensive-minded forward who’s suddenly become a legit offensive threat. Watts dropped 20 points, grabbed six boards, and dished out three assists in 27 minutes. He’s gone from glue guy to game-changer, and his emergence couldn’t have come at a better time.
Duke’s Defense Falters When It Counts
For most of the season, Duke’s defense has been a strength - physical, disciplined, and disruptive. But in the second half at MSG, that identity vanished.
The Blue Devils gave up a staggering 1.48 points per possession after halftime - by far their worst defensive half of the year. In a five-minute stretch late in the game, Duke managed just three points offensively, opening the door for Texas Tech to storm back.
Cameron Boozer led Duke with 23 points, while his twin brother Cayden added 13. But the Blue Devils couldn’t generate stops when they needed them most, and their offense stalled just as the Red Raiders found their rhythm.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that had been unbeaten entering the night. Now, with Duke falling from the ranks of the unblemished, only six teams remain undefeated: Michigan, Iowa State, Arizona, Vanderbilt, Nebraska, and Miami (Ohio).
Texas Tech’s Big Three Is for Real
Toppin and Anderson were expected to carry the load this season - and they’ve delivered. But the rise of Watts gives Texas Tech a legitimate three-headed monster. When all three are clicking, this offense becomes a nightmare to guard.
And it’s not just the scoring. Toppin’s presence in the paint, Anderson’s ability to break down defenders off the dribble, and Watts’ newfound offensive confidence give the Red Raiders layers of attack. They can go inside, they can shoot it, and they can grind you down with physicality.
That’s a dangerous formula - especially in the Big 12.
Big 12 Race Heating Up
With this win, Texas Tech just added fuel to what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive Big 12 title races in recent memory.
Iowa State and Arizona look like juggernauts. Houston is starting to click after a dominant showing against Arkansas.
BYU and Kansas both boast elite talent. And now Texas Tech has thrown its hat back into the ring with a statement win on a national stage.
This conference race is going to be a battle every night. And after Saturday, one thing’s clear: Texas Tech isn’t just surviving the early-season turbulence - they’re starting to thrive in it.
They came into the Garden short-handed. They left with a win that could change the trajectory of their season.