LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech’s surge into national prominence continues, as the Red Raiders climbed to No. 9 in the AP Top 25 and No. 10 in the Coaches Poll, both released Monday. The ranking marks Tech’s first appearance in the AP Top 10 since the 2022 season.
Riding a stretch of nine wins in their last 10 games, the Red Raiders (20-5, 11-3 Big 12) have also soared to No. 7 in both the NCAA NET rankings and KenPom metrics. Texas Tech comes off an OT win over Arizona State and a 93-55 beat down of Oklahoma State in Stillwater over the weekend.
Texas Tech, which entered the AP poll for the first time this season at No. 22 on January 27, has climbed steadily—moving to No. 13, then No. 12, before breaking into the top 10 this week.
Auburn (23-2) retained the No. 1 spot in the AP rankings, followed by Florida (22-3), Duke (22-3), Alabama (21-4), and Houston (21-4) rounding out the top five. The fifth-ranked Cougars will visit Lubbock next Monday, setting up a marquee rematch after the Red Raiders’ thrilling 82-81 overtime road win on February 1.
Other Big 12 teams ranked this week include No. 8 Iowa State (20-5), No. 19 Arizona (17-8), and No. 23 Kansas (17-8).
Texas Tech heads to Fort Worth for a Tuesday night showdown against TCU (7 p.m. CT, ESPN2). The Red Raiders lead the Big 12 in scoring (82.4 PPG), field-goal percentage (48.2%), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.59). They also rank second in three-point percentage (38.4%) and scoring margin (+15.4).
Key contributors:
- JT Toppin – 17.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG (three straight double-doubles, including 41 points, 15 rebounds vs. Arizona State)
- Chance McMillian – 15.0 PPG, 44.0% 3PT (Big 12 leader in 3PT percentage)
- Elijah Hawkins – 6.4 APG (leads Big 12)
- Darrion Williams – 14.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.0 APG
With five players averaging double figures in Big 12 play, the Red Raiders have established themselves as a contender heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
UP NEXT:
Tech faces TCU on Tuesday before returning home for a highly anticipated top-10 matchup with Houston next Monday at United Supermarkets Arena.
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