Texas Tech Basketball Faces Tough Test Against Houston in Big Monday Matchup

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Texas Tech basketball is set to face a tough test as they host the Houston Cougars in a Big Monday matchup, with the Red Raiders looking to pull off a rare sweep of their opponents. The last time Texas Tech beat Houston was in an 82-81 overtime win on February 1, and they will be looking to replicate that performance. A win for the Red Raiders would not only be a significant boost to their NCAA Tournament seeding but also impact the Big 12 standings, where Houston currently leads the conference.

The Cougars have been a dominant force in the Big 12, with only one conference loss this season, and have a strong record of limiting their opponents to just 57.7 points per game. However, Texas Tech has shown that they can compete with the best teams in the conference, having already beaten Houston once this season. The Red Raiders will need to be at their best if they are to pull off the sweep, and a win would be a significant statement for the program under head coach Grant McCasland. Consistency will be key for Texas Tech, as they look to build on their recent performances and make a push for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Texas Tech's chances of winning may be impacted by the availability of some of their key players, with Chance McMillian and Darrion Williams both nursing injuries. McMillian missed the game against West Virginia with a lower-body injury, while Williams left the game against the Mountaineers with a leg injury. The status of these players will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game, and the Red Raiders will need to be at full strength if they are to compete with the Cougars. Depth will also be important, as Texas Tech looks to utilize their bench players to make an impact in the game.

Here are the current standings and statistics for the two teams:

• Texas Tech: 21-6 overall, 12-4 Big 12, 81.4 points per game, 48.2% field goal percentage
• Houston: 23-4 overall, 15-1 Big 12, 57.7 points allowed per game, 40.0% 3-point percentage

The game will be broadcast on ESPN, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. on Monday. The Red Raiders will be looking to make a statement and pull off the rare sweep of the Cougars, and a win would be a significant boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes. Momentum will be crucial, as Texas Tech looks to build on their recent performances and make a push for a high seed in the tournament.

In terms of player statistics, JT Toppin leads the Red Raiders with 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while Chance McMillian is averaging 15.1 points per game and leads the team in 3-point shooting. Darrion Williams is also having a strong season, averaging 14.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. For the Cougars, LJ Cryer leads the team with 15.0 points per game, while J'Wan Roberts is averaging 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. The matchup between these two teams promises to be an exciting one, with both sides looking to make a statement in the Big 12.

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