Texas Tech Opens Big 12 Play Against UCF on Tuesday

LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech, ranked No. 13 in KenPom and No. 17 in the NCAA NET rankings, will open Big 12 Conference play against UCF on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at United Supermarkets Arena. The Red Raiders (9-2) remain unbeaten at home this season, holding an 8-0 record following a 101-57 win over Lamar to close out non-conference play.

Texas Tech leads the Big 12 in effective field goal percentage (60.0%) and ranks third nationally in both overall field goal percentage (51.7%) and three-point shooting percentage (40.4%). The Red Raiders are also among the conference leaders in scoring offense, averaging 86.3 points per game, while limiting opponents to 63.3 points per game.

Key Players to Watch
The Red Raiders enter the matchup with four players averaging double figures:

• JT Toppin (18.6 points, 11.0 rebounds per game)
• Darrion Williams (16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists per game)
• Chance McMillian (16.4 points per game, 53.4% on three-pointers)
• Kevin Overton (11.4 points per game)

Williams was named Big 12 Player of the Week after a season-high 23 points against Lamar. He also ranks fourth in the Big 12 in scoring and ninth in assists. McMillian, the conference leader in three-point shooting, has averaged 18.6 points over the last five games.

Freshmen Christian Anderson and Eemeli Yalaho are coming off career-best performances, scoring 20 and 13 points, respectively, against Lamar.

Upcoming Schedule
Following the conference opener, Texas Tech will play road games at Utah on Jan. 4 and BYU on Jan. 7 before returning home to face No. 3 Iowa State on Jan. 11.

Grant McCasland improved to 243-102 in his career and 32-13 at Texas Tech after the Lamar victory. Last season, McCasland led Texas Tech to six wins over ranked opponents and now holds a 6-6 record against AP Top 25 teams as the Red Raiders' head coach.

Player Spotlight: Darrion Williams
Williams, a Sacramento, California native, is coming off a stellar sophomore season where he earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors. He has continued his strong form this year, averaging 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Williams has scored in double figures in nine consecutive games, including three 20-point performances.

Williams is second in the Big 12 in free-throw percentage at 88.4% and has recorded 40 career games scoring in double figures. In addition to his offensive contributions, Williams has showcased his all-around game with 229 career assists, 38 steals, and 11 blocked shots through 77 games.