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National love continues to pour in for Texas Tech after convincing win over Baylor

Now on a seven-game Big 12 winning streak, the Texas Tech basketball team is the talk of the college basketball world.
ByMatthew Conner|
Feb 4, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Federiko Federiko (33) reacts in the second half during the game against Baylor Bears forward Norchad Omier (15) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Feb 4, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Federiko Federiko (33) reacts in the second half during the game against Baylor Bears forward Norchad Omier (15) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images | Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Tuesday night, the Texas Tech basketball team made a statement. Sure, the Red Raiders were favored to beat Baylor in Lubbock. That win in a vacuum didn't change the perception of head coach Grant McCasland and his team.

However, the 73-59 triumph was yet another sign that Texas Tech has what it takes to compete at the highest levels of the sport. What's more, it showed that this team has staying power.

There was every opportunity for the Red Raiders to have a letdown on Tuesday night. Playing just three days after an emotionally and physically draining overtime win over No. 6 Houston, Tech had to quickly turn its attention to a talented Baylor team while blocking out all of the praise that was being heaped on them after the win over the Cougars.

Then, in the first half of Tuesday's game, the Red Raiders lost JT Toppin yet again. This time, it wasn't an ejection but rather a turned ankle that took him out of commission after he had gotten off to a torrid start to the game scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds in the first 12 minutes of play. Though he would return for a brief stint in the second half, he would finish the game as a spectator scoring no points and pulling down only one rebound after his injury.

Yet, somehow, the Red Raiders persevered again. Players such as Chance McMillian and Darrion Williams were not going to let their team lose.

Against Baylor, we were reminded of the depth of this roster and the toughness that it plays with. It seems as if no challenge is too big, no turn of events is too shocking, and no opponent is too talented to phase the Red Raiders.

Following the win at Houston, all eyes were on the Red Raiders Tuesday night. People around the country wanted to see if McCasland and Co. could follow up the season's biggest win with another winning effort against a team that started the year ranked in the top 10 and which is almost certainly headed back to the NCAA Tournament.

The Red Raiders responded with a solid effort and another Quad-1 win, their fifth of the season. Now that Tech has the nation's attention, it is fun for Tech fans to see how the national media is fawning over the hottest team in the Big 12. Here's a look at the latest round of love being shown to the Texas Tech basketball program.

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