LUBBOCK, TX – The Texas Tech Red Raiders will face off against the unbeaten DePaul Blue Demons on Wednesday, December 3, at 8:15 p.m. in the United Supermarkets Arena as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle. Tech enters the matchup with a 35-game non-conference home winning streak, while DePaul is one of 17 unbeaten teams remaining in the nation.
“We’re excited to be back in the USA and love our team’s progress over the last couple of weeks,” Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland said. “DePaul has a fantastic team playing with a lot of confidence. This will be a tough matchup, but it’s an excellent opportunity to represent the Big 12.”
Texas Tech (6-1) will look to reverse its fortunes in the all-time series, as DePaul (7-0) holds a 3-0 record against the Red Raiders. The two teams last met in the Big 12-Big East Battle in 2019, where DePaul secured a 65-60 overtime victory in Chicago. The Blue Demons also claimed wins in 2011 and 1983, with the latter taking place in Osaka, Japan.
The Red Raiders are 1-3 all-time in Big 12-Big East Battle matchups, with their lone win coming at home against Georgetown.
The Red Raiders come into the game following an 89-64 victory over Northern Colorado. Tech showcased its offensive efficiency, shooting 56.5% from beyond the arc and 92.3% from the free-throw line. Key contributors included:
- Darrion Williams: 21 points, 10 rebounds (first double-double of the season)
- Kevin Overton: 20 points, including four 3-pointers
- Christian Anderson: Freshman career-high 12 points with four 3-pointers
- JT Toppin: 15 rebounds, 11 points (fourth double-double of the season)
Texas Tech Men's Basketball
(Credit: texastech.com)
The Red Raiders lead the Big 12 in free-throw shooting at 80.6% and rank second with a 60.2% effective field goal percentage. They are averaging 88.4 points per game and shooting 42.0% from three-point range.
Scouting DePaul
Under first-year head coach Chris Holtmann, DePaul has dramatically turned things around following a 3-29 season in 2023-24. The Blue Demons enter their first road game of the season averaging 88.0 points per game while limiting opponents to 64.3 points. Key stats for DePaul include:
- 3-point efficiency: Averaging 12.7 makes per game (3rd nationally) with a 39.6% conversion rate.
- Defense: Opponents are shooting just 37.4% against them.
- Key Players:
- Isaiah Rivera: 14.3 PPG, 46.3% from 3-point range
- Jacob Meyer: 14.0 PPG
- CJ Gunn: 10.0 PPG
“They are one of the most efficient teams in college basketball,” McCasland said. “Their pace and ball movement are excellent, and they have multiple players who can shoot the ball. It’s a challenging matchup.”
Game Information
- Matchup: DePaul (7-0) at Texas Tech (6-1)
- Location: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, Texas
- Tip-off: 8:20 p.m. CT
- TV: ESPNU (James Westling and Tim Welsh on the call)
- Radio: Texas Tech Sports Network
The Red Raiders have not lost a non-conference home game since January 2019, boasting an 89-1 record in non-conference home games since December 2013.
Head coach Grant McCasland, in his second year at Tech, holds a 20-2 home record and continues to oversee one of the nation’s most efficient offenses.
This high-stakes showdown will test Texas Tech’s home dominance against a surging DePaul squad eager to make its mark.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: