LUBBOCK, TX — The Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-1) will face Northern Colorado (6-2) at 7 p.m. Friday inside United Supermarkets Arena. Riding a 34-game non-conference home winning streak, the Red Raiders aim to continue their dominance on their home court, where they are 4-0 this season under head coach Grant McCasland.
Texas Tech enters the matchup fresh off a split at the UKG Legends Classic in New York, narrowly losing to Saint Joseph’s, 78-77, before rebounding with a 79-74 win over Syracuse. The Red Raiders rank No. 22 in the KenPom ratings and are among the national leaders in field goal percentage (52.7%) and effective field goal percentage (60.5%). They are also second in the Big 12 in free throw shooting (77.7%) and third in scoring (88.3 points per game).
Darrion Williams led the Red Raiders with 20 points against Syracuse, while JT Toppin and Chance McMillian have scored in double figures in every game this season. The Red Raiders have cruised past home opponents, outscoring them by an average margin of 33.8 points.
“It’s awesome anytime you’re playing in the United Supermarkets Arena against a fantastic opponent and coming off a learning experience in Brooklyn,” McCasland said. “Northern Colorado is a well-coached team. They have played a good schedule with close games against Colorado and Washington State. We need to come out ready to play.”
Northern Colorado, led by head coach Steve Smiley, arrives with momentum after a dominant 92-50 victory over Northern New Mexico. Isaiah Hawthorne, who transferred from San Francisco, leads the Bears with 17.5 points per game and scored 27 in their most recent win. The Bears also boast strong perimeter shooting, hitting 10-of-20 from beyond the arc in their last game.
This will be the fifth meeting between the programs, with Texas Tech holding a 4-0 advantage. The last matchup occurred in 2019 when the Red Raiders secured a 93-62 victory. Texas Tech has not lost a non-conference home game since a 76-74 overtime loss to Kentucky in January 2019.
Following Friday’s game, Texas Tech will face DePaul on December 4 as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle.
GAME INFORMATION
- Matchup: Northern Colorado (6-2) at Texas Tech (5-1)
- Location: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, Texas
- Tip-off: 7:01 p.m., Friday, November 29, 2024
- TV: ESPN+ (John Harris, Chris Level)
- Radio: Texas Tech Sports Network (Geoff Haxton, Jesus Arenas)
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: