The BYU Cougars hit the road Saturday to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a high-profile Big 12 matchup. Both teams are firmly in the national conversation, not only as Big 12 title contenders, but as legitimate threats to make a deep run in March.
BYU enters the game riding a 13-game winning streak. The Cougars are 16-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in conference play after a home win over TCU. Along with Arizona and Houston, BYU remains one of the final unbeaten teams in Big 12 action. Conference wins over Kansas State, Arizona State, and Utah have backed that start, while the nonconference resume includes victories over Clemson, Dayton, Miami, Wisconsin, and Villanova. The lone blemish on the season came against UConn.
Texas Tech checks in at 13-4 overall and 3-1 in league play. The Red Raiders are coming off back-to-back wins, first on the road at Colorado and then at home against Utah. Their only conference loss came at Houston in a four-point game. Nonconference defeats include Arkansas, Purdue, and Illinois, but Texas Tech also owns an impressive win over Duke, along with victories against Wake Forest and LSU. After this matchup, the Red Raiders head to Baylor on January 20.
BYU vs. Texas Tech: When and Where
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
- Location: United Supermarkets Arena
BYU vs. Texas Tech: Where to Watch or Stream
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: FuboTV
BYU vs. Texas Tech: Betting Odds
- Spread: Texas Tech Red Raiders -2.5, BYU Cougars +2.5
- Moneyline: Texas Tech Red Raiders -155, BYU +130
- Total: 158.5
BYU vs. Texas Tech: Series History
- All-time series: Series tied, 3-3
- Last meeting: Texas Tech won 72-67 on January 7, 2025
Projected Starting Lineups
BYU Cougars
- #3 AJ Dybantsa – 23.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG
- #15 Richie Saunders – 19.3 PPG
- #1 Robert Wright III – 17.2 PPG
- #13 Keita Keba – 7.4 PPG
- #30 Kennard Davis – 7.4 PPG
Texas Tech Red Raiders
- #15 JT Toppin – 21.2 PPG, 11.1 RPG
- #4 Christian Anderson – 19.7 PPG
- #12 Donovan Atwell – 11.8 PPG
- #3 LeJuan Watts – 13.0 PPG
- #11 Jaylen Petty – 9.2 PPG
Game Outlook
This matchup has all the makings of a physical, high-level Big 12 battle. BYU has elite talent across the floor and looks every bit like a team capable of cutting down the nets in April. AJ Dybantsa is the centerpiece of the Cougars’ offense and a player who can completely change a game.
Texas Tech counters with its trademark toughness and a star of its own in JT Toppin, who has the ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. With the game in Lubbock, the Red Raiders will have the advantage of one of the more intense home environments in the conference.
Everything points to a competitive, hard-fought game between two of the Big 12’s best. This one has the feel of a matchup fans may be talking about well beyond Saturday night.