Texas Tech basketball finally cracks the AP Top 25 national poll

After being on the verge of cracking the A.P. poll for much of the season, the Texas Tech basketball team has finally broken through and earned a national ranking.

Jan 26, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA;  Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chance McMillian (0) reacts with guard Kevin Overton (1) in the second half during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Jan 26, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chance McMillian (0) reacts with guard Kevin Overton (1) in the second half during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images | Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

It took a while but the Texas Tech basketball team has finally earned a spot in the Associated Press top 25. On the heels of a four-game winning streak, the Red Raiders check in at No. 22 in this week's A.P. poll. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders are up to No. 19 in the Coaches Poll.

This marks the eighth-straight season that Tech has been ranked for at least one week in the A.P. poll. That's a program record.

For most of the season, Tech has received votes in the A.P. poll but not enough to be ranked. In fact, last week, Tech had the most votes of any team not in the poll.

Now, the question will be whether the Red Raiders can have staying power. That's because life is about to get much tougher for head coach Grant McCasland and his squad.

On Wednesday, Tech has a winnable game at home against unranked TCU. The Horned Frogs are just 10-9 on the season and 3-5 in Big 12 play. However, two games ago, they pulled off a 74-71 win at then-No. 25 Baylor. Thus, TCU can't be taken for granted, even when playing in Lubbock.

Saturday, though, will pose the season's biggest test for Texas Tech. That's when the Red Raiders travel to Houston where the Cougars have won 31 games in a row on their home court.

On the heels of Saturday night's dramatic double-OT win at Kansas, Houston is now ranked No. 6 in the A.P. poll. Other Big 12 teams in this week's A.P. ranking include Iowa State (No. 3) and Kansas (No. 11). Meanwhile, Arizona, Baylor, and West Virginia all received votes.

Auburn sits at No. 1 in the nation. The Tigers received all 62 first-place votes in the A.P. poll. The rest of the top 5 includes Duke, Iowa State, Alabama, and Florida in that order.

Of course, a ranking is not the end-all for the Red Raiders. However, it is a sign that people around the nation are taking notice of what the Red Raiders are doing as they continue to play well in Big 12 play.

Now, the hope is that this ranking isn't just a one-week occurrence. But given that Tech will face Houston, Baylor, and Arizona in the three games after TCU comes to town on Wednesday, and given that the games against the Cougars and Wildcats will be road games, holding on to this ranking won't be easy.