Game Info
Good Guys: Texas Tech Red Raiders (21-6, 12-4)
Bad Guys: Houston Cougars (23-4, 15-1)
When to Watch: Monday, February 24th @ 8:00 pm
Where to Watch: United supermarkets Arena | Lubbock, Texas
How to Watch: ESPN
How to Listen: 97.3 FM | Affiliates | Varsity Network
The Line: Houston -1.5
Advanced Stats
| TEXAS TECH | STAT | HOUSTON |
|---|---|---|
Lineups
| THE STARTERS | Pts / Reb | |
|---|---|---|
| POINT GUARD | Elijah Hawkins (5-11/160) | 9.2 / 6.5* |
| SHOOTING GUARD | Chance McMillian (6-3/190) | 15.1 / 4.3 |
| SMALL FORWARD | Kerwin Walton (6-5/210) | 4.6 / 1.0 |
| POWER FORWARD | Darrion Williams (6-6/225) | 14.9 / 5.2 |
| CENTER | JT Toppin (6-9/225) | 17.3 / 9.1 |
| THE BENCH | Pts / Reb | |
| SIXTH MAN | Christian Anderson (6-2/165) | 10.0 / 2.2* |
| SEVENTH MAN | Kevin Overton (6-5/200) | 8.1 / 3.7 |
| EIGHTH MAN | Federiko Federiko (6-11/215) | 5.7 / 4.8 |
| NINTH MAN | Eemeli Yalaho (6-8/240) | 3.3 / 2.4 |
| TENTH MAN | Leon Horner (6-4/215) | 0.3 / 0.6 |
| ELEVENTH MAN | Jack Francis (6-3/185) | 0.3 / 0.3 |
| TWELFTH MAN | Corbin Green (6-5/230) | 0.0 / 0.5 |
| THIRTEENTH MAN | Jazz Henderson (5-11/175) | – / – |
| THE STARTERS | Pts / Reb | |
| POINT GUARD | Milos Uzan (6-4/190) | 10.7 / 4.7* |
| SHOOTING GUARD | L.J. Cryer (6-1/200) | 15.0 / 2.0* |
| SMALL FORWARD | Emanuel Sharp (6-3/210) | 12.0 / 2.8 |
| POWER FORWARD | J’Wan Roberts (6-8/235) | 11.3 / 6.3 |
| CENTER | Joseph Tugler (6-8/230) | 5.7 / 5.8 |
| THE BENCH | Pts / Reb | |
| SIXTH MAN | Ja’Vier Francis (6-8/235) | 5.1 / 4.2 |
| SEVENTH MAN | Terrance Arceneaux (6-6/205) | 8.1 / 3.3 |
| EIGHTH MAN | Mylik Wilson (6-3/175) | 6.0 / 3.5 |
| NINTH MAN | – (-/-) | 1.9 / 2.5 |
| TENTH MAN | – (-/-) | – / – |
* Assists.
Starting 5
1. Stats. We meet again. Houston’s lone conference loss came at home to Texas Tech. I am sure they are not out to avenge this loss at all. Houston is the 3rd best 3-point shooting team in the nation, but just 243rd from inside the arc. They are 35th in turnover percentage and 11th in offensive rebounds, while also rarely getting any shots blocked, 7th in the nation. Defensively, they are the best in the nation, 3rd in 2-point defense, 76th in 3-point defense, 13th in forcing opponent turnovers, and 5th in block percentage. They will put teams on the line, 250th in opponent free throw rate, but that’s really the only flaw.
2. Scouting. The offense is driven by this 3-guard lineup in Cryer, Uzan and Sharp. They are all excellent shooters from deep, 42%, 42%, and 43% respectively. Meanwhile, Tugler, Roberts and Arceneaux all shoot well inside, with Arceneaux being an okay outside shooter. Uzan is the distributor, while Tugler, Roberts and Francis are the main rebounders. Houston runs a limited lineup, a lot like Texas Tech.
3. How They Match Up. One of Houston’s biggest flaws is 3-point rate defense, meaning that they do allow teams to shoot a bunch of 3’s, which may be all part of the plan. Texas Tech getting clean looks offensively. These are two of the best teams in the nation. I hope that Chance McMillian is healthy and ready to go, I’d love to see these two teams go at it at full strength, that’s sort of what you want.
4. lagniappe | something given as a bonus or extra gift.
TOP 10 SLUGFEST ON TAP
: https://t.co/wRBIb2nRh2 #TTW pic.twitter.com/3p4kmoP4p4
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) February 23, 2025
Best fans in the game
Come hangout with us tonight and tomorrow as we prepare for Houston. @BuffThe806GM | @TheRaiderRiot pic.twitter.com/lpQmUh1cMl
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) February 24, 2025
These guys >>
Once a Red Raider, always a Red Raider
pic.twitter.com/mmnSpFn4mQ
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) February 23, 2025
5. Official Site. The official site has their preview right here:
College basketball fans love looking forward to March, but Texas Tech’s final game in February has that same feel.
“This game is about an approach, mentality and willingness to stay in the middle of it,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said. “You can’t ever get on the outside of these games. You have to be willing to put your nose right in the middle. Nobody does that better than Houston. If we want to be the program that everyone loves, then this game on Monday will be a great barometer for what our grit level is.”
A Top 10 slugfest is on tap with No. 9 Texas Tech hosting No. 5 Houston at 8 p.m. on Monday at United Supermarkets Arena – the follow up to an 82-81 overtime win by the Red Raiders on February 1 at the Fertitta Center in the first matchup this season between the two teams. Updated national rankings come out at noon on Monday. On the NCAA NET and Kenpom, Houston sits No. 3 and Tech is No. 7.