Today, the Texas Tech basketball team begins its 20-game Big 12 fight when the Central Florida Knights come calling. It will be the biggest home game of the season to date as the Red Raiders look to get off to a solid start in conference action.
Of course, the Red Raiders will be playing in front of a holiday crowd, and with the students on winter break, it will be interesting to see what type of crowd shows up at United Supermarkets Arena. Head coach Grant McCasland seems confident that the Tech fan base will have his team's back, though.
"With our students being gone, it always is difficult this first run of games," he said Sunday. "And so, there is just such a pick-up. But we've got the best fans in college basketball, I genuinely believe it. And when you talk about the way our...fans travel and the way our people show up when it matters, I mean, Big 12 play is the most important part of our season and there is no games off in our league. Every game is a 100 and I anticipate having the U.S.A. packed and it'll be the best environment for opening weekend."
Though Central Florida is not a marquee opponent, the Knights will provide a stiff test for the Red Raiders. UCF comes into the game at 9-2 overall and since losing to LSU 109-102 in triple-overtime on a neutral court on November 24, the Knights have won five games in a row.
What's more, the Knights have also beaten Texas A&M this year toppling the Aggies 64-61 in Orlando in the first game of the season. Of course, the Red Raiders couldn't beat A&M last month in Fort Worth though Tech played that game without leading scorer and rebounder JT Toppin.
Senior guard Jordan Ivy-Curry leads UCF in scoring at 16.3 points per game. Meanwhile, fellow guard Keyshawn Hall is averaging 15.2 points per game as the Knights feature a dangerous back-court combination.
Also, they are going to be aided by the return of senior guard Jaylin Sellers who made his season debut in their last game scoring seven points. Last year, he averaged 15.9 points per game but he has only appeared in one contest thus far due to an undisclosed injury.
Currently, UCF checks in at No. 82 in the NCAA NET Rankings so this wouldn't be a Quad-1 victory. However, it would be a critical win for McCasland's team as it would start Big 12 play on a positive note. So let's take a look at all the game info fans need to know ahead of this contest.
Texas Tech vs. UCF broadcast info
Tip: 1:00 p.m. Central
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Texas Tech Sports Network
Streaming: Varsity Network
Texas Tech vs. UCF series history
Series is tied 1-1. Last year: UCF won 75-61 on Feb. 23, 2024, in Orlando after Tech won 66-59 in Lubbock on Feb. 10, 2024
Texas Tech vs. UCF Odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.com.
Favorite | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|
Texas Tech -13.5 | UCF +680 | 147.5 |
Texas Tech vs. UCF game notes
Notes courtesy of TexasTech.com.
- The Red Raiders (9-2) are 8-0 on their home court this season after a 101-57 win over Lamar last week to complete non-conference play and enter Big 12 action leading the conference with a 60.0 effective field goal percentage, shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 79.4 percent at the free-throw line and a 23.0 scoring margin of victory. Tech is currently third in the nation in both shooting percentages and is 11th throughout the country by shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range (111-for-275) after going 13-for-29 in the 44-point win over Lamar in its last game.
- Texas Tech is third in the Big 12 with 18.4 assists per game and scoring 86.3 points per game, while also ranking third defensively by limiting opponents to only 63.3 points per game.