A lot of attention remains on the Big 12 and especially that handful of teams that make up the top tier in this league. As has been the case often here late in the season, two of those elite teams face off in an important matchup as Texas Tech and Iowa State matchup for the first time this season. This matchup has lost a little of its luster but should still provide exciting basketball from Ames.
We spoke of lost luster because of what’s happened at Texas Tech (21-7), as the Red Raiders are adjusting to life without their star forward JT Toppin. The Red Raiders did get a great upset win at Arizona in the game where Toppin was injured and remain in great position in the Big 12 and national standing. However, things are very different without their star, even though the offense has looked great in big home wins over the last week.
You won’t find any sympathy from an Iowa State (24-4) that just wants to keep winning games and try to stay pace in a difficult Big 12 title race. The Cyclones don’t just have their full complement of players, but T. J. Otzelberger’s squad also gets to play one of their final home games. All four of their losses this season have come on the road and this team has simply looked different at Hilton in front of their faithful, including recent home wins over Kansas and Houston.
Texas Tech vs. Iowa State: When and Where
Date:Â Saturday, February 28, 2026, 4:00 pm ET
Location:Â Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa
Texas Tech vs. Iowa State: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch:Â CBS
Streaming: FuboTV
Texas Tech vs. Iowa State: Betting Odds
Spread: N/A
Moneyline:Â N/A
Total: N/A
Texas Tech vs. Iowa State: Series History
All-time series:Â Iowa State leads 24-22
Last meeting:Â Iowa State 85, Texas Tech 84, OT (January 11, 2025)
Projected Starting Lineups
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Christian Anderson (19.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 7.7 apg)
Donovan Atwell (13.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
LeJuan Watts (12.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
Jaylen Petty (9.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
Luke Bamgboye (4.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
Iowa State Cyclones
Milan Momcilovic (17.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
Joshua Jefferson (16.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.2 apg)
Tamin Lipsey (13.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 5.2 apg)
Killyan Toure (8.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
Blake Buchanan (8.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
Grant McCasland and his Texas Tech team found ways to win last week without Toppin anchoring this lineup but this is a different animal altogether. The Cyclones are one of the nation’s best teams this season, with a far more elite defense and balanced rotation. Texas Tech really needs Anderson to continue leading this team forward and wouldn’t hate to see Bamgboye and the rest of this frontcourt take a step up. For Iowa State, just keep playing smart reliable basketball at home, and it’s not hard to say that with the way Momcilovic and others have been playing.
Does Texas Tech have a real chance at being the first team to upend the Cyclones at home even with Toppin out for the year? Can Iowa State nab another notable Big 12 win and find a way to nab that final top-seed at March Madness?