For a program-record 20th consecutive release, Texas Tech men’s basketball once again finds its name in the Associated Press Top 25 — and this week, the Red Raiders are climbing. After winning three straight games, including a statement home victory over then-No. 11 BYU, Tech jumped three spots to No. 12 in the latest AP Men’s Basketball Poll.
The surge comes at a pivotal moment in the season. Texas Tech (14-4, 4-1 Big 12) heads on the road to face Baylor at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Waco before returning to Lubbock for a massive Saturday showdown against No. 6 Houston at 5:30 p.m. inside United Supermarkets Arena.
Red Raiders Defend the USA, Again
Tech’s most recent win may have been its most impressive yet. The Red Raiders erased a nine-point second-half deficit to beat BYU 84-71 on Saturday, improving to a perfect 10-0 at home this season. The comeback win showcased Tech’s depth, toughness, and firepower — all hallmarks of a team that’s now won eight of its last 10 games.
Shooting continues to be a defining strength. Texas Tech leads the Big 12 by averaging 11.1 made three-pointers per game and ranks second in the league at 37.8% from beyond the arc. Against BYU, the Red Raiders knocked down 11 of 29 attempts, continuing a trend that has seen Tech make 10 or more threes in 13 of its 18 games this season. Twice already, the Red Raiders have set a new program record with 17 made 3-pointers — against Oklahoma State and Lindenwood.
Baylor Up Next, Houston on Deck
Tuesday’s opponent, Baylor (11-6, 1-4 Big 12), is searching for consistency in conference play. The Bears are coming off an 80-62 loss at Kansas on Friday night, though they did pick up their lone Big 12 win last week at Oklahoma State. Tech is 1-1 in conference road games and will look to add another quality win away from home.
But all eyes are already drifting toward Saturday.
Texas Tech will host No. 6 Houston in a rematch of a January 6 battle in Houston, where the Cougars escaped with a 69-65 win. This time, the stage will be even bigger. During Saturday’s win over BYU, it was announced that ESPN’s College GameDay Covered by State Farm will be in Lubbock for the first on-campus show of the season. GameDay will air from 10–11 a.m. Saturday morning on the court at United Supermarkets Arena, with doors opening at 9 a.m.
Rece Davis will be joined by Jay Bilas, Andraya Carter, Seth Greenberg, and Jay Williams, giving Lubbock the national spotlight ahead of one of the biggest home games in recent memory.
Stars Leading the Charge
At the center of Tech’s rise is JT Toppin, who continues to dominate on both ends of the floor. Toppin recorded 27 points and 13 rebounds against BYU, extending his double-double streak to seven straight games. He now leads the Big 12 with 12 double-doubles, 11.2 rebounds per game, and 4.71 offensive rebounds per contest. His 21.6 points per game rank fourth in the conference and 13th nationally, while his 160 made field goals lead the nation.
Toppin has also added a new wrinkle to his game, going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in back-to-back wins over Utah and BYU.
The supporting cast has been just as impactful. Christian Anderson leads the Big 12 with 7.4 assists per game and is sixth in scoring at 19.8 points per game. He finished with 22 points and seven assists against BYU. LeJuan Watts is nearing a career milestone with 996 career points after scoring 20 points with eight rebounds against the Cougars. Donovan Atwell adds 11.4 points per game, while freshman Jaylen Petty is contributing 9.2 points per contest.
As a team, Tech is averaging 83.4 points per game, with four players scoring in double figures — a balance that makes the Red Raiders one of the most dangerous offenses in the Big 12.
National Respect, Big 12 Power
Arizona (18-0) remains No. 1 in the nation, followed by UConn, Michigan, Purdue, and Duke. Houston sits at No. 6 after moving up one spot this week. The Big 12 is well represented with No. 9 Iowa State, No. 13 BYU, No. 19 Kansas, and now No. 12 Texas Tech.
Beyond the AP Poll, Tech checks in at No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, No. 19 in the NCAA NET rankings, and No. 21 on KenPom — further evidence that the Red Raiders are gaining national traction.
A Streak Built to Last
After being unranked for much of the 2024-25 season before surging to No. 8 in the final poll following an Elite Eight run, Texas Tech entered this season ranked No. 10 in the AP Preseason Poll — the highest preseason ranking in program history. Now, with 20 straight appearances in the AP Top 25, the Red Raiders are in the midst of the longest ranking streak the program has ever seen.
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