The Texas Tech Red Raiders were not thought of as a team that could challenge Kansas or Houston for the Big 12 crown in 2024-25. However, their recent run of form is proving otherwise. Tech has risen to 4th in the Big 12 as they ride a 5-game win streak.
Texas Tech is Stacking Wins Due to Their Ability to Close Games
Texas Tech has a lot of firepower on offense, namely leading scorer JT Toppin (16.3 points per game), marksman Chance McMillan (47% from deep), and Darrion Williams (14.7 ppg), but the thing that has been most impressive about head coach Grant McCasland’s team during their win streak is their defense.
McCasland has said that he loves his team’s “urgency” on the defensive end, especially down the stretch. Against Oklahoma State on Sunday, the Red Raiders allowed just 5 points in the final 5 minutes to finish their win. They also recently shut out the Arizona Wildcats in the final five minutes, turning a tight 57-54 game into a comfortable 70-54 win.
Energy: HIGH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LXk0SqEU42
— Texas Tech Red Raiders (@TechAthletics) January 30, 2025
Texas Tech is 26th in the country in scoring defense, with the 29th best adjusted defensive efficiency. The team has all their bases covered personnel-wise, with big wings like Toppin, a rim protector in Federiko Federiko, and pesky point-of-attack defenders like McMillan, Williams, and even the 5′ 11″ Elijah Hawkins. Although the team does not have an abundance of size, they play much bigger even against teams with size mismatches.
Texas Tech’s Latest Game Was a Shutdown Win Over TCU
Wednesday night’s opponent was the TCU Horned Frogs, who, although they are near the bottom of the Big 12 standings, are a dangerous team. Just ask the Baylor Bears, who lost at home to the underdog frogs earlier this month. Tech was also without Darrion Williams, who has a lower-body injury, making the game even more difficult.
Texas Tech has been one of the most efficient three-point shooting teams in the nation, and although they shot a lowly 32% against TCU, they still had five different players connect from long range and made 10 total three-balls.
Texas Tech Head Coach Grant McCasland’s opening statement: pic.twitter.com/ldtFogri8B
— KTXT Sports 🌵 (@KTXT_Sports) January 30, 2025
Although Tech had only a seven-man rotation on the night without Williams, they had good bench production from Kevin Overton and Christian Anderson. Overton managed 7 points and 5 rebounds in his 17 minutes of action. Anderson meanwhile has been extremely impressive. A true freshman, Anderson is showing a fantastic skillset that includes a deep scoring bag. Many feel that he is a name to watch moving forward as a potential future NBA draft pick. Against TCU, he chipped in 8 points, including a big three-pointer with around 2 minutes to play that stretched the lead to 10.
NBA enthusiasts.
NCAA gurus.
Buy stock in Christian Anderson, NOW. 📈
Just had 18 PTS (4/4 3FG), 3 REBS, 2 STLS, & 2 ASTS against #3 Iowa State.
Anderson is an extremely crafty guard who’s unbothered by tight coverage, tough shot-maker, & elevates high for his shots. pic.twitter.com/n4xe4Hvhs2
— Recruits Zone (Blake Smith) (@recruitszone) January 11, 2025
Texas Tech Has a Measuring-Stick Game Approaching
Texas Tech is exceeding expectations so far, but to see how far they can go, they will need to register a few more wins against the conference’s best. Their recent win against Arizona was a start, but nothing would be bigger than a road win against #6 Houston. They’ll have their chance on Saturday afternoon.
As good as Tech’s defense has been, Houston’s is even better. Allowing not even 54 points per game, Texas Tech will likely not manage the 82 points that they average per game. They will need to be ready for a physical battle and be ready to overcome a size disadvantage. Their small guards like McMillan, Anderson, and Hawkins will need to have big games against larger defenders if they are to pull off the upset. Having Williams return from injury would also be a necessary boost. He was a game-time decision on Wednesday and figures to be ready for the weekend.
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