Texas Tech lit up the Houston Cougars unlike any team has this season, but despite Kingston Flemings dropping 42 points, the Red Raiders pulled out an impressive victory on their home floor through a gritty showing on the offensive glass.
LUBBOCK, Texas - The No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders welcomed a sold-out crowd and the ESPN College GameDay crew to frigid West Texas and United Supermarkets Arena for a huge Big 12 affair against the No. 6 Houston Cougars, and though temperatures were freezing outside, this matchup heated things up in a hurry.
The Red Raiders used excellent three-point shooting and a ferocious offensive-rebounding performance to outlast the Cougars 90-86.
Kingston Flemings posted a freshman program record 42 points for Houston, but he kicked his leg out on a three-pointer that would have tied the game with under 30 seconds remaining and was whistled for an offensive foul, all but sealing the victory for Texas Tech.
All-American forward JT Toppin was spectacular, as well, for the Red Raiders. He helped halt the Cougars' conference-record 16-game road winning streak by scoring 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Texas Tech grew its home win streak to 12 games to improve to 16-4 overall and 6-1 in Big 12 play. Houston dropped to 17-2 and lost its first conference game of the year. The Red Raiders avenged their loss from earlier to the Cougars, a 69-65 finish on Jan. 6.
Here are a few thoughts from the game of the week across college basketball:
Red Raiders' Rebounding Was Instrumental
Texas Tech regained the lead in the second half thanks to a series of big-time rebounding efforts on both ends of the floor. Freshman Jaylen Petty joined Toppin with an impressive showing to record eight hard-fought boards at just a 6-1 frame.
One moment defining the rebounding success was a challenged out-of-bounds play that got overturned in favor of Texas Tech, allowing the Red Raiders to keep possession with a five-point lead with under three minutes to play. A floater for Toppin in the ensuing possession extended the lead.
Texas Tech totaled an astounding 21 offensive rebounds and 44 overall. Houston was limited to 28 total rebounds, 11 on the offensive end.
Physicality Was a Factor Immediately
We entered this matchup knowing grittiness would be on full display. Both teams shot the lights out early, but that doesn't mean either side avoided asserting themselves physically.
Houston typically feeds off of this brand of basketball, but faltered in the first half as the Red Raiders nearly scored as many points (55) as the Cougars allow to opponents for a game (60.1). Tech lead by six at 55-49 at the break.
The Cougars were whistled for seven fouls in the first 11 minutes to put the Red Raiders in the bonus for a long strech going into halftime. Toppin showed his relentlessness on the offense glass with four offensive rebounds (seven total) and 17 first-half points.
Twenty total fouls were called, both teams were called for a flagrant, and Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland received a technical foul call in the first half alone. It was that type of day.
Josiah Moseley Debut Leads 3-Point Onslaught
The Red Raiders have built a reputation as an elite perimeter shooting team, and though Josiah Moseley was making his season debut after being out with injury, he joined the party and provided an immediate boost.
Moseley hit two of Texas Tech's 10 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes. The team finished with 12 triples for the game. Petty (4/5 at the half) and Donovan Atwell (3/5 at half, five threes for the game) were also in a groove from downtown to help the Red Raiders reel off a 14-0 run early - the largest scoring run Houston has allowed all season.
When Toppin is getting hounded on the inside (albeit rarely) McCasland knows that he's got one of the best shooting teams in the country to build a complete offense around.
Double-Teams Made Things Difficult for Christian Anderson
After halftime especially, Houston's made the adjustment to send double-teams at Tech's dynamic ball-handler Christian Anderson to try to slow down the offense. It was working, as Houston built and maintained a small lead for much of the second half as the Red Raiders turned the ball over more frequently.
Anderson had been averaging nearly 25 points per game over his last three, but although his shots weren't falling against the Cougars, he was able to dish out nine assists. The Red Raiders out-assisted the Cougars 16-to-9 for the game despite just five fast-break points scored between both sides.
Future NBA Players Galore
Flemings and Toppin headlined a collection of future professional players in this matchup.
The freshman star Flemings built on his NBA Draft lottery case with a career-high in scoring. He filled it up in a multitude of ways.
Flemings was a maestro in the pick-and-roll, knowing exactly when he could rise for a midrange jumper, which was a lot. He hit 15 of 26 shots, including four three-pointers.
Toppin's activity and athleticism on the glass also figures to build a draft-worthy resume. He's a bit undersized to be a true center and will need to improve his three-point efficiency to be a stretch four, but the raw abilities are undeniable.
Lastly, Anderson's length makes him very intruging as a two-way player, with his three-point stroke and ball-handling IQ as his best traits.
Both of these teams can compete for a national championship this season due to the handful of NBA-ready prospects on the roster.
Up next for the Red Raiders is a road game next Saturday Jan. 31 against UCF. Houston goes on the road, as well, to play at TCU in Fort Worth.
