LUBBOCK, TX — A Top-10 clash is set for Monday night as No. 9 Texas Tech welcomes No. 5 Houston to United Supermarkets Arena for a highly anticipated Big 12 battle. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN’s Big Monday, marking the 60th all-time meeting between the two programs.
Texas Tech (21-6, 12-4 Big 12) will try to secure a season sweep of the Cougars (23-4, 15-1 Big 12) after an 82-81 overtime victory on February 1 at Houston’s Fertitta Center. That win snapped a four-game losing streak to UH and remains the Cougars’ only conference loss this season. Monday’s game marks Houston’s first trip to Lubbock in over 20 years, with Tech winning the last home matchup 62-48 on Jan. 1, 2003.
No. 5 Houston (23-4, 15-1) at No. 9 Texas Tech (21-6, 12-4)
- Location: United Supermarkets Arena – Lubbock, Texas
- Tipoff: 8 p.m. CT, Monday, February 23, 2025
- TV: ESPN (Jon Sciambi, Fran Fraschilla, Kris Budden)
- Radio: Texas Tech Sports Network (Geoff Haxton, Chris Level)
The Red Raiders enter the contest boasting one of the most efficient offenses in the Big 12, ranking:
- 1st in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.58)
- 2nd in field goal percentage (48.2%)
- 2nd in scoring offense (81.4 PPG)
- 2nd in three-point shooting (38.4%)
- 2nd in scoring margin (+14.9 PPG)
JT Toppin, the reigning AP National Player of the Week, leads Tech with 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while Chance McMillian (15.1 PPG, 45.4% 3PT) and Darrion Williams (14.9 PPG) provide additional scoring threats. Christian Anderson, fresh off a career-high 21 points against West Virginia, has been lethal from deep, shooting 43.6% in Big 12 play.
The Cougars, led by LJ Cryer (16.2 PPG) and J’Wan Roberts (12.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG), boast one of the nation’s top defenses, allowing just 58.7 points per game—the best mark in the Big 12. Houston will look to avenge its only conference loss, where Tech outlasted them in overtime behind McMillian’s 23 points and clutch free throws
Tech’s 12-4 Big 12 record matches the best conference start in program history (2019, 2022). The team is averaging 81.4 points per game, the program’s highest since 1994-95. Toppin’s 41-point explosion vs. Arizona State was the highest by a Big 12 player this season. The Red Raiders have won seven conference games by double digits and held seven opponents under 60 points.
A sellout crowd is expected as Texas Tech looks to defend home court and shake up the Big 12 title race.
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