The Texas Tech Red Raiders scorch opponents from deep and rely on JT Toppin's dominance, aiming to extend their win streak at UCF.
Texas Tech heads back on the road this weekend, playing its best basketball of the season, and the timing couldn’t be better.
Riding a season-long five-game winning streak, the No. 11 Red Raiders will face a tough UCF squad Saturday morning in Orlando, a matchup that will test both momentum and mental toughness.
Grant McCasland’s team enters the weekend coming off an eye-opening week that included a road win at Baylor, followed by a high-octane victory over then-No. 6 Houston.
In those two games, Texas Tech overwhelmed opponents with shot-making. The Red Raiders caught fire from deep, knocking down more than half of their three-point attempts across the two contests and setting a Big 12 record with a blistering first-half performance in Waco.
At the center of Tech’s surge is JT Toppin, who has been nearly unstoppable in conference play.
The versatile forward has combined scoring, rebounding, and physicality to anchor the Red Raiders, earning his third Big 12 Player of the Week honor this month.
Against elite competition, Toppin has elevated his game, consistently delivering double-doubles and serving as the emotional engine of the team.
The supporting cast has been just as dangerous.
Christian Anderson continues to orchestrate the offense at an elite level, leading the conference in assists while also serving as a primary scoring threat.
Donovan Atwell’s perimeter shooting has added another dimension, stretching defenses well beyond the arc and opening lanes for Tech’s interior attack.
That offensive balance will be critical against a UCF team that has been formidable at home. The Knights are built on rebounding strength, guard play, and efficient perimeter shooting, making them one of the more complete teams in the Big 12.
Riley Kugel leads a balanced scoring group, while Themus Fulks’ playmaking ability consistently puts pressure on opposing defenses.
From a tactical standpoint, this game may come down to two things: pace and toughness. Texas Tech thrives when it controls tempo and forces opponents to match its physicality, a hallmark of McCasland’s philosophy.
As he often says, “Toughest Team Wins,” a mantra that has shown up in Tech’s road success over the past two seasons.
The Red Raiders have already proven they can win away from Lubbock, and Saturday offers another chance to solidify their standing near the top of the Big 12.
With a marquee home matchup against Kansas looming early next week, Tech knows focus matters now more than ever.
If the Red Raiders bring the same defensive edge and shooting confidence they displayed last week, they’ll be well-positioned to keep their streak alive ... even in one of the league’s toughest road environments.