Gonzaga vs Texas Tech: 2021-22 college basketball preview, TV schedule

Gonzaga vs Texas Tech: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Matt Melton | Dec 16, 2021

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 26: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on during their game against the Duke Blue Devils during the Continental Tire Challenge at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Duke won 84-81. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

A Top 25 matchup, Gonzaga and Texas Tech face off in the Jerry Colangelo Classic.

When: Saturday, December 18 at 1:00 pm ET on CBS

Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

One of the top overall matchups from a loaded college basketball slate on Saturday, Gonzaga takes on Texas Tech in the Jerry Colangelo Classic.

This will be Gonzaga’s first game in over a week as their previously scheduled game vs Washington was cancelled with the Bulldogs’ last contest coming in an 80-55 win over Merrimack on December 9. A game in which Gonzaga never trailed, the Bulldogs completed dominated from start to finish as they out-rebounded the Warriors 56-20, while also shooting a combined 50.8% from the field.

The Bulldogs are ranked as the No. 5 team in the country with an 8-2 record and are averaging an impressive 85.6 PPG for the year, while only allowing 64.6 PPG to opponents. The No. 2 offensive efficiency team in the country according to KenPom, Gonzaga is led by star forward Drew Timme (18.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG), while Julian Strawther, Chet Holmgren, and Rasir Bolton all average in double-figures.

Texas Tech on the other hand comes into this Top 25 matchup coming off two consecutive wins, including a 75-62 win over Arkansas State on Tuesday night. The Red Raiders shot a phenomenal 56% from the field in the contest, while also receiving a game-high 21 points from junior guard Kevin McCullar.

The Red Raiders are currently ranked as the No. 25 team in the country at 8-1 and are led by the No. 7 ranked team in defensive efficiency in the country according to KenPom allowing only 58.9 PPG, as well as averaging 81.1 PPG offensively. Tied with the previously mentioned McCullar as Texas Tech’s leading scorer is guard Terrence Shannon Jr (14.3 PPG), while others such as Bryson Williams, Davion Warren, and Kevin Obanor are all prominent scorers for the Red Raiders.

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Texas Tech picked up a massive win earlier this month over then No. 13 ranked Tennessee in what was their first signature win under new head coach Mark Adams. While this potential win would undoubtedly top that, you could certainly make an argument that Gonzaga is the favorite in this Top 25 matchup, with the duo of Timme and Holmgren down low being the difference-makers.

Prediction: Gonzaga 75, Texas Tech 67