Texas Tech Basketball: Ranking 2019-20 non-conference opponents

4. (N) San Diego State Aztecs (Nov 28)

2018-19 record: 21-13 (11-7)

Leading scorers Devin Watson and Jalen McDaniels are gone but the Aztecs have used the transfer market to their advantage. Former Washington State guard Malachi Flynn (15.8 ppg) and Santa Clara playmaker KJ Feagin (17.5 ppg) will provide instant offense in the backcourt along with sharpshooter Jordan Schakel. Vanderbilt grad transfer Yanni Wetzell will add frontcourt depth, while junior forward Matt Mitchell is primed for a big season as a go-to option. If sophomore forward Nathan Mensah improves enough, San Diego State got a real shot at winning the Mountain West next year.

3. (A) DePaul Blue Demons (Dec 4)

2018-19 record: 19-17 (8-11)

Normally, Texas Tech should be unhappy landing the perennial bottom-feeder of the Big East in their conference challenge with the Big 12. But the Blue Demons should be dangerous next year and even contend for the NCAA Tournament. They did lose their top three scorers, including 20 ppg senior Max Strus but have a good amount of returning talent. Paul Reed, Devin Gage and Jalen Coleman-Lands, who played just nine games before breaking his hand are coming back, along with a bunch of transfers. Forwards Darious Hall and Carte’Are Gordon will be eligible to play but Kansas transfer Charlie Moore may have to sit out a year. However, former Jayhawk commit Markese Jacobs and top-60 recruit Romeo Weems are able to play and should have a big impact early on.

2. (N) Louisville Cardinals (Dec 10)

2018-19 record: 20-14 (10-8)

Five of the team’s top seven scorers are coming back, including leading scorer Jordan Nwora (17.0 ppg and 7.6 rpg). Dwayne Sutton, Steven Enoch, and Malik Williams makes up a talented frontline and the Cardinals add grad transfer point guard Lamarr Kimble, who averaged 15.6 ppg last season with Saint Joe’s. This doesn’t even mention a six-man incoming recruiting class ranked in the top-12 overall. This is a consensus preseason top-10 team with little flaws, making them a great early-season opponent for Texas Tech to stack themselves against.

1. Kentucky Wildcats (Jan 26)

2018-19 record: 30-7 (15-3)

The Red Raiders hit the jackpot in the matchups for the Big 12/SEC Challenge, not only getting the prestigious Kentucky Wildcats but having the game in Lubbock in front of what will be a rocking crowd. Coach Calipari once again has a title contender, with the No. 2 overall recruiting class coming in. Five-star prospects Tyrese Maxey, Keion Brooks and Khalil Whitney. Ashton Hagans is now a veteran of the team, set to have a huge sophomore campaign. And there is a senior on the team in Bucknell grad transfer Nate Sestina, who averaged 15.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg last year.

With the game being in late January instead of early November, the youth of the Wildcats won’t be as much a factor but they still won’t be used to true road games in front of a raucous crowd. It’ll be a tough contest in the middle of another difficult Big 12 schedule but this has the chance to be the highlight of the inter-conference battle, with the winner getting an edge for a high seed in March.