Tonight, the game of the year in Lubbock finally arrives as the Texas Tech basketball team takes on first-place Houston. Of course, this game was always highlighted by the fans in the 806 but the hype surrounding the matchup became even more charged as a result of how the first game between these teams played out.
On February 1, Texas went to Houston and somehow pulled out an 82-81 overtime win despite seeing star forward JT Toppin and head coach Grant McCasland ejected less than five minutes into the game. It was one of the most improbable and emotional wins ever recorded by a Texas Tech team, regardless of the sport.
Since then, Tech fans have been looking toward Houston's return trip to Lubbock as an opportunity to put another loss on Houston's ledger. While it seems like the Cougars are virtually guaranteed to claim the Big 12 regular-season title for the second year in a row, sweeping Houston would be a huge feather in Tech's hat and would likely move the Red Raiders up a line or two when it comes to their NCAA Tournament seeding.
What's more, this is the first time that Houston will play in Lubbock as a member of the Big 12. Last season, the teams met in Houston and in Kansas City but not on the South Plains. Thus, 15,098 fans will pack United Supermarkets Arena tonight to show a national television audience and Houston how much hell they can raise.
One question, though, is whether or not guard Chance McMillian will play tonight. He missed Saturday's victory over West Virginia with a foot or ankle injury, one that had him in a walking boot while sitting on the bench.
Should he miss tonight's contest, it would be a huge blow to the Red Raiders. When Tech won in Houston earlier this month, McMillian was a huge reason why as he led all players in scoring with 23 points. Of course, he is also his team's best on-ball defender, and missing his defensive skills would take quite a bit away from the Red Raiders' ability to check the Cougars' dynamic guards.
On the other hand, it will be fun to see what Tech looks like when Toppin takes on Houston. He leads the team in points per game at 17.3 and most of his productivity comes in the paint. However, that's where Houston is tough with stout defenders J'Wan Roberts, Joseph Tuggler, and Ja'Vier Francis all bringing the muscle to the low post.
It will certainly be a tough test for McCasland's squad because Houston will almost certainly bring their best to the table tonight as they try to avenge their only Big 12 loss of the season thus far. Of course, it is also an opportunity for the Red Raiders to make a massive statement in front of what will likely be a big television audience on ESPN. Thus, Texas Tech fans who won't be in the building for this heavyweight fight will be tuning in to catch all the action. So let's look at what those fans need to know as we prepare for tip-off.
Texas Tech vs. Houston broadcast info
Tip: 8 p.m. Central
TV: ESPN
TV CALL: Jon Sciambi (play-by-play), Fran Fraschilla (analyst), Kris Budden (reporter)
RADIO: TEXAS TECH SPORTS NETWORK
RADIO CALL: Geoff Haxton (play-by-play), Chris Level (analyst)
Texas Tech vs. Houston series history
This is the 60th all-time meeting between the two programs. The Cougars lead the all-time series 31-28 and will be playing in Lubbock for the first time in over 20 years with Tech earning a 62-48 win on January 1, 2003, in the last matchup at the USA. Tech’s overtime victory earlier this month snapped a four-game losing streak to UH in the series and is the only conference loss on Houston’s resume this season.
Texas Tech vs. Houston odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.com.
Favorite | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|
Houston -1.5 | Houston -114 | 131.5 |
Texas Tech vs. Houston game notes
Notes courtesy of TexasTech.com.
- Houston is on a six-game winning streak following its loss to Tech to begin the month and travels in with an 8-0 road record this season and leads the nation by holding opponents to just 57.7 points per game.
- The Cougars are atop the Big 12 standings and hold opponents to just 38.3 percent shooting (best in the Big 12). They also own a plus-4.7 turnover advantage. Texas Tech and Kansas are the only two teams to score 80-plus against the Cougars with the Jayhawks falling 92-86 in double-overtime.
- The Red Raiders (21-6, 12-4 Big 12) come into the week leading the Big 12 with a 1.58 assist-to-turnover ratio and are second in the conference in field goal percentage (48.2%), effective field goal (56.3%), scoring margin (14.9), scoring offense (81.4), 3-point percentage (38.4%), and with 9.8 3-pointers made per game. Tech averages 17.0 assists per game which is the fifth
most in the Big 12 and is now shooting 76.6 percent at the free-throw line which is third after going 12-for-15 against WVU.
- The Red Raiders have matched the best start to Big 12 play in program history with the 2019 and 2022 teams also being 12-4 through 16 games… The Red Raiders went 14-4 in 2019 to win their only Big 12 regular season championship and post their best conference record… This is the first season with a 20-game conference schedule.
- At home, Texas Tech is currently 14-2 overall and 6-2 in Big 12 games… Tech has won six straight conference games and is now 13-4 at home under McCasland in Big 12 home games… The Red Raiders went 18-0 overall and 9-0 in Big 12 play at home during the 2021-22 season for their best home record in program history.
- Tech has won 15 games by double-figure margins, including going 7-0 in Big 12 games… The Red Raiders have limited nine opponents under 60 points this season, including seven in conference play… The 51 points by WVU on Saturday was the lowest for a Big 12 opponent this season… Tech is 9-1 when holding Big 12 teams under 70.
- Tech currently has three players who have surpassed the 1,000-point scoring mark: McMillian (1,420), Elijah Hawkins (1,307), and Darrion Williams (1,015)… Williams reached the milestone at TCU last Tuesday.