Texas Tech and USC are reportedly nearing a Dec. 13 clash at Dickies Arena, giving the Red Raiders a major nonconference test before Big 12 play begins in 2027.
FORT WORTH - Texas Tech basketball could be getting an early NCAA Tournament measuring stick, and Red Raiders fans won’t have to travel far to see it.
Texas Tech and USC are reportedly working toward a Dec. 13 neutral-site matchup at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, according to CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein.
The agreement hasn’t been formally announced, but the potential showdown would immediately become one of the most intriguing dates on Grant McCasland’s 2026-27 nonconference schedule.
This wouldn’t be another December tune-up against an overmatched opponent. USC is expected to enter the season as a legitimate national contender under Eric Musselman, who has quickly turned the Trojans into a factor in the Big Ten after leaving Arkansas in 2024.
Rothstein currently has USC inside the top 15 of his ROTHSTEIN 45 rankings, making the reported matchup a valuable opportunity for Texas Tech to collect an attention-grabbing victory before Big 12 competition begins.
That’s exactly the type of game McCasland’s program should be chasing.
The Red Raiders have established themselves as a consistent threat in one of college basketball’s most demanding conferences.
However, strong nonconference victories can make a significant difference when the NCAA Tournament selection committee begins comparing résumés in March.
Beating a nationally respected USC team on a neutral floor would travel well. Even a competitive loss could provide useful information about Texas Tech’s readiness for the weekly grind awaiting it in Big 12 play.
The location also gives the Red Raiders a potential advantage.
Dickies Arena has developed into one of Texas’ premier destinations for major college basketball events, and Fort Worth offers Texas Tech supporters throughout Dallas-Fort Worth a convenient chance to see the program in person.
A strong Red Raiders turnout could make the supposedly neutral setting feel considerably less neutral.
The Dec. 13 date is also well placed. By mid-December, teams have usually moved beyond early-season experimentation and started revealing their true identities.
Texas Tech should know more about its rotation by then, while USC will have enough games behind it to show whether the preseason hype is legitimate.
There’s still some paperwork to finish before fans start buying tickets. Neither school has officially confirmed the matchup, and reported agreements can change before contracts are completed.
But should the deal cross the finish line, Texas Tech won’t just be adding another game. It’ll be accepting an early challenge with real postseason consequences, exactly what a program with national ambitions should be doing.
