LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech men’s basketball entered the Associated Press Top 25 for a program-record eighth consecutive season, ranking No. 22 in this week’s poll. After what seemed to be a lengthy snub from the official polls, the Red Raiders are now "officially" ranked.
The Red Raiders (15-4, 6-2 Big 12) earned a spot in the rankings for the first time this season after receiving votes throughout the year. In addition to their AP ranking, they sit at No. 19 in the Coaches Poll and hold the No. 11 spot in both the KenPom and NCAA NET rankings.
Tech, which was unranked in the preseason poll, is on a four-game winning streak and has won six of its last seven games. The Red Raiders return to action Wednesday, hosting TCU at 6 p.m. at United Supermarkets Arena, before traveling to face No. 6 Houston on Saturday.
Auburn (18-1) remains the unanimous No. 1 team in the AP Top 25, followed by No. 2 Duke (17-2), No. 3 Iowa State (17-2), No. 4 Alabama (17-3) and No. 5 Florida (18-2). Four Big 12 teams are ranked this week, including Iowa State, Houston, No. 11 Kansas (14-5) and Texas Tech. Arizona, Baylor and West Virginia also received votes.
Tech ranks second in the Big 12 in several statistical categories, including field goal percentage (49.1), three-point percentage (38.4), free-throw percentage (76.9) and effective field goal percentage (56.8). The Red Raiders lead the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.59) and three-pointers made per game (9.3) while averaging 81.9 points per game, the third-highest mark in the league.
Following a 64-54 win over Oklahoma State on Sunday, Tech has now recorded 11 double-digit victories this season, boasting a 16.9-point average margin of victory.
Three Red Raiders are averaging double figures in scoring: JT Toppin leads the team with 16.3 points per game, followed by Chance McMillian (14.9) and Darrion Williams (14.7). Toppin also ranks third in the Big 12 in rebounds per game (8.5) and fourth in scoring.
McMillian leads the conference in three-point shooting, hitting 47.4% (45-for-95) from beyond the arc, and ranks ninth with 2.37 made threes per game. Elijah Hawkins tops the Big 12 with 6.1 assists per game and ranks third in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.15).
The Red Raiders are off to a historic start in Big 12 play, beginning 4-0 on the road for the first time in program history. They are also 10-2 at home following back-to-back wins over Arizona and Oklahoma State.
Tech’s AP Poll History
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Ranked No. 22 in the final 2023-24 AP poll
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Reached a season-high No. 15 ranking last year (Jan. 29, 2024)
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Ranked as high as No. 12 at the end of the 2022 season
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Program-best AP ranking of No. 6 in February 2018
Texas Tech was picked seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll and did not have a player selected for preseason honors.
The Red Raiders return to United Supermarkets Arena on Wednesday, looking to extend their winning streak against TCU before traveling to Houston for a key conference showdown.
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