Illinois vs Texas Tech Preview: How to Watch, Injury Report & Odds

Illinois has begun the 2026-27 season 2-0 with a pair of convincing victories, but the Illini will face their first major test Tuesday night against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are ranked No. 16 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, setting up a top-20 matchup in Lubbock. Texas Tech is also 2-0 on the season, although both of its victories came against buy-game opponents, similar to Illinois.

These two programs met for the first time ever last season in Champaign. The Illini grinded out an 81-77 victory over the Red Raiders inside the State Farm Center last November and will look to improve to 2-0 all-time against Texas Tech with another win.

Andrej Stojakovic led the way in last year's victory with 23 points in 26 minutes. He shot an impressive 11-for-16 from the field and helped slow down Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson after Kylan Boswell switched onto JT Toppin. Toppin had one of the best performances of his career, dropping 35 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, but he will not be available Tuesday night due to a knee injury.

When healthy, Toppin is a national player of the year-caliber talent, but his return remains uncertain after suffering a torn ACL late last season. A head-to-head matchup between him and David Mirkovic would have been fun to watch, but neither big man will suit up Tuesday night. The Illini will also be without senior forward Jake Davis, who is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.

Although Mirkovic and Toppin will be sidelined, there is still plenty of talent on both rosters that will be on display inside United Supermarkets Arena. Former Illini guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn will face off against five-star freshman Quentin Coleman in the backcourt, while Andrej Stojakovic will look to slow down former Big 12 First Team selection Darrion Williams.

A victory would likely give the winner a Quadrant 1 victory early in the season. Here is everything you need to know before the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders Tuesday night:

How to Watch

No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini (2-0) at No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0)

Location: United Supermarkets Arena | Lubbock, TX

Tipoff: Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7:00 p.m. CT

TV: Peacock

Betting Odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)

Betting Line: Illinois -1.5

Over/Under: 161.5

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Injury Report

Illinois Fighting Illini

F David Mirkovic: Out (Foot Injury/Appendectomy)

F Jake Davis: Out (Shoulder)

Texas Tech Red Raiders

F JT Toppin: Out (Knee)